Transaction security apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

A transaction security apparatus which comprises a transaction device, wherein the transaction device one of generates and transmits a first signal in response to a transaction, and a communication device associated with an individual account. The communication device receives the first signal. The communication device generates a second signal which provides a notification to the individual account holder of the transaction. The transaction device transmits the first signal to the communication device. The first signal is transmitted over a communication network directly to the communication device.

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/694,199, filed Aug. 8,1996, and now abandoned.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to a financial transaction and/orwireless communication device authorization, notification and/orsecurity apparatus and method, and, in particular to a financialtransaction and/or wireless communication device authorization,notification and/or security apparatus and method for use in providingauthorization, notification and/or security in conjunction with creditcard, charge card and/or debit card use, savings and/or checking accountactivity and/or cellular telephone use.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Millions of individuals enjoy the convenience of utilizing credit cards,charge cards, debit cards, and/or currency or "smart" cards as aconvenient way in which to purchase goods and/or services. By utilizingcredit cards, charge cards, debit cards, and/or currency or "smart"cards, an individual may enter into a transaction without having to havecash or currency in hand or otherwise. In the case of credit cards,charge cards and debit cards, the individual, in effect obtains aninstant loan of the funds needed to make a purchase and/or enter into atransaction. In the case of currency or "smart" cards, the individualmay "store" an amount of money on the card(s) and, thereafter, utilizethe card(s), instead of cash or currency, in order to make purchasesand/or enter into transactions.

Millions of individuals also enjoy the benefits of having savingsaccounts, checking accounts and/or automated teller machine accountswhich allow then to enjoy the security of saving their money in accountswhich are usually insured and which allow them to, in some instances,earn interest on their money. In the case of checking accounts,individuals enjoy the convenience of writing checks and/or othertransaction instruments which allow them to draw against their moneywithout having to undergo the inconvenience of going to the bank orfinancial institution to withdraw their money, in currency form, andtraveling to, in some cases, a distant location to either make apurchase, payment and/or to otherwise settle an account. In this regard,the ability to write checks, drafts and/or other instruments against anaccount is a very convenient manner in which to conduct transactions ofany kind.

In the case of automated teller machines, individuals may convenientlywithdraw and/or deposit money into a bank of other financial account.

Many individuals also enjoy the convenience of owning and/or usingwireless, mobile or cellular telephones or devices as a means by whichto make telephone calls when a conventional line or permanent telephoneis not within reach and/or when the individual is "on the go", such asin an automobile, on foot, and/or in any other type of environment, suchas away from home, when a conventional line or permanently fixedtelephone is not available.

Unfortunately, with the convenience of each of the above credit cards,charge cards, debit cards, and/or currency or "smart" cards, savingsaccounts, checking accounts, automated teller machine accounts, andcellular telephones or cellular communications devices, comes manydisadvantages and the opportunity for theft and/or fraud. In the case ofcredit cards, charge cards and/or debit cards, hundreds of millions, ifnot billions, of dollars a year are lost as a result of the theft of,and/or the fraudulent use of, credit cards, charge cards and/or debitcards, or the account numbers which correspond thereto.

A lost or stolen card may be utilized by an unauthorized individual tospend upwards of thousands of dollars before the unauthorized use isdetected and/or before the cardholder can ascertain, and/or be notified,either by the card issuer or servicing institution or when thecardholder detects the unauthorized transaction on his or her monthlyaccount statement, that the card is lost or stolen. Similarly, even inthe absence of the physical card, an unauthorized individual may utilizethe account number which corresponds to the card in order to makecertain transactions.

While card holders are usually protected by various coverages whichshield them from the liabilities associated with the fraudulent use of acard or the corresponding account number,. the card issuers, credit,charge and/or debit card issuing companies and/or institutions, and/ortheir insurance companies, end up paying for the above described theftsand/or fraudulent and/or unauthorized uses. Ultimately, the consumeralso shoulders the burden of the costs associated with these theftsand/or fraudulent and/or unauthorized uses in the form of increasedprices.

While authorization terminals and/or devices are utilized at apoint-of-sale and/or at the vendor's, the seller's, or the serviceprovider's, location, these authorization terminals and/or devicestypically are utilized to obtain an authorization from the card issueror account servicing institution which, usually entails a screening ofwhether the card has been lost, stolen, cancelled, de-activated and/orwhether the cardholder has exceeded and/or will exceed his or her creditlimit. This current authorization practice fails to prevent the use of alost or stolen card, or the unauthorized use of either the card or theaccount number corresponding thereof, if the card has not been reported,and/or discovered, to be lost, stolen or used without authorizationand/or if the account credit limit has not yet been reached.

Current practices do not entail and/or do not include the provision forobtaining an authorization, and/or for providing notice to thecardholder before, during and/or shortly after a transaction, whichcardholder authorization and/or notification procedure would be helpfuland prove to be essential in preventing the fraudulent use and/orunauthorized use of a card and/or the account number correspondingthereto in a unauthorized transaction and/or shortly thereafter anunauthorized transaction has occurred, thereby minimizing the fraudulentand/or unauthorized use of the card and/or the account numbercorresponding thereto.

In the case of currency or "smart" cards, which typically may serve asbearer instruments, the monetary credit on these cards may be completelydepleted before the card owner even discovers same to be lost or stolen.

In the case of savings accounts, checking accounts, and/or automatedteller machine accounts, these accounts may be accessed, and funds bewithdrawn, without the account owner's notification and/or knowledge. Inthe case of savings accounts and checking accounts, these accounts maybe accessed, and/or funds may be withdrawn therefrom, when checks drawnon insufficient funds are returned, and/or when the account number isinadvertently and/or fraudulently utilized in an endorsement, orotherwise, by an individual attempting to cash or perform a transactionwith a fraudulent instrument, a forged instrument and/or an otherwise"bad" check. In these instances, the accounts and/or funds involved areusually accessed, invaded, and/or withdrawn from the account involvedwithout the account owner being notified and/or having a say in thematter.

The account owner is typically notified of the above-described activityinvolving his or her account days later when he or she either receives amailed notice and/or when they receive and review their monthly orperiodic statement, which notice may be received at a time when it maybe too late for the account owner to stop or reverse the transactionand/or, in the case of a check or draft returned for insufficient funds,at a time which is too late for the account owner to attempt to collectthe funds. In the case of automated teller machine accounts, theseaccounts may be accessed, such as with a lost, stolen, or counterfeitcard and/or with a card account number(s) and/or associated personalidentification number(s), by a thief or by any other unauthorized personwho could then make an unauthorized withdrawal(s) therefrom.

Once again, the account owner would not receive notification and/or haveknowledge of the unauthorized transaction until they are notified by thebank or financial institution either via a monthly and/or periodicstatement, and/or when they attempt a transaction at the automatedteller machine and, at that time, discover that funds are missing and/orhave been withdrawn. In the case of savings accounts, checking accountsand/or automated teller machine accounts, there is no present apparatusor method by which to provide notification to an account owner at thetime of the unauthorized transaction and/or account activity and/orshortly thereafter same.

In the case of cellular telephones, recent practices involving "cloning"cellular telephones, which entails intercepting telephone transmissionsfrom a cellular telephone, which transmissions contain the phone numberof the transmitting phone and/or the associated personal identificationnumber (PIN), and utilizing the intercepted information to program adifferent cellular phone which by then be utilized in conjunction withthe account of the "cloned" cellular telephone, has also resulted inwidespread theft and fraudulent use of cellular telephones and/orcellular communications devices. The "cloned" telephones are typicallysold on the "black" market. In these instances, the cellular telephoneowner has no way of knowing whether, or when, his or her cellulartransmissions are being intercepted and/or if and when a "cloned"cellular phone is created and/or is utilized on, or over, his or hercellular telephone account.

Typically, the cellular telephone owner first becomes aware of theunauthorized usage of his or her cellular telephone account when he orshe receives their telephone account statement. Once again, in the timebetween the "cloning" of the cellular telephone and the discovery ofsame, hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars worth of cellular telephonecalls may have been made before the unauthorized use is detected. Atpresent, there is no apparatus or method for providing notification tothe cellular telephone owner as to when his or her cellular telephoneand/or cellular telephone number is, or has been, utilized in anunauthorized manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for providingfinancial transaction authorization, notification and/or security, and,in particular, provides an apparatus and a method for providingfinancial transaction authorization, notification and/or security inconjunction with credit card, charge card, debit card, and/or currencyor "smart" card use, savings and/or checking account activity and useand/or cellular telephone use, which overcomes the shortcomings of theprior art.

The apparatus and method of the present invention, which is utilized inconjunction with a credit card, a charge card, a debit card and/or acurrency or "smart" card authorization process comprises a point-of-saleauthorization terminal which terminals are found in variousestablishments and which are utilized in conjunction with the sale ofgoods and/or services and/or in other types of financial transactions.The point-of-sale terminal may be utilized at the location of the sellerand/or service provider, such as at a retail store or office, and/or thepoint-of-sale terminal may be located at the site of the goods orservice provider or vendor, such as in cases when the sale is atelephone order, mail order and/or other type of transaction, includingtransactions made on, or over, the INTERNET and/or other on-lineservices or communication networks or mediums.

The apparatus also comprises a central processing computer forprocessing the credit, charge, debit and/or currency or "smart" cardand/or other transaction requests, and data and/or informationpertaining thereto, and/or the authorization pertaining thereto. Thecentral processing computer may service any predefined group of cardholders and/or any pre-defined group(s) and/or type(s) of cards. Thecentral processing computer may-also process accounts for any of thevarious banks and/or financial institutions which issue and/or managecredit cards, charge cards, debit cards and/or currency or "smart" cardsand/or process or manage these accounts.

The point-of-sale terminal is linked and/or connected to the centralprocessing computer via a communications system, link and/or medium,such as, for example, a telephone network or line. The communicationssystem which is utilized may be any communications system and mayinclude telecommunication systems, satellite communications systems,radio communication systems, digital satellite communications systems,personal communications services communication systems as well as anyother appropriate communications system.

The point-of-sale terminal transmits signals and/or data to the centralprocessing computer as well as receives signals and/or data from thecentral processing computer.

The apparatus also comprises a cardholder communication device which mayreceive signals and/or data from either or both of the point-of-saleterminal and/or the central processing computer. The communicationdevice may also be equipped with a transmitter for transmitting signalsand/or data to the central processing computer. In this regard, thecentral processing computer transmits signals and/or data to thecommunication device as well as receives signals and/or data from thecommunication device. The communication device may also transmit signalsand/or data directly to the point-of-sale terminal and receive signalsand/or data directly from the point-of-sale terminal.

The point-of-sale terminal may transmit signals and/or data to thecentral processing computer and to the communication device and mayreceive signals and/or data from the central processing computer andfrom the communication device.

The communication device may be a wireless device. In this regard, thecommunication device may be a telephone signal receiving device whichmay be a beeper or pager or other device which may be carried by thecardholder and/or be kept on and/or close to the cardholder's person sothat the central processing computer may transmit signals and/or data tothe communication device so as to communication with the cardholder atany time and at any location.

The apparatus may also comprise a facsimile (fax) machine, a personalcomputer, a telephone, a telephone answering machine, an alternatetelephone, an alternate telephone answering machine, a network computerand/or an alternate beeper or pager. The central processing computer maybe linked with the above fax machine, personal computer, telephone,associated answering machine, alternate telephone and associatedanswering machine, network computer, and/or alternate beeper or pagervia any suitable communication system. The telecommunications link ortelephone line or link, which may or may not be a wireless linkdepending on the device and/or the circumstances, is utilized in orderto link the central processing computer with each of the fax machine,the personal computer, the telephone, the associated answering machine,the alternate telephone, alternate telephone answering machine, thenetwork computer and/or the alternate beeper or pager.

The apparatus and method of the present invention may be utilized inorder to provide cardholder authorization, notification and/or securitymeasures in financial transactions involving credit cards, charge cards,debit cards, and/or currency or "smart" cards and may be utilized inorder to obtain cardholder authorization in a card-related transaction.

The apparatus and method of the present invention may commence operationwhen the card, which is to be utilized in a credit card, charge card,debit card, and/or currency or "smart" card, or number correspondingthereto, transaction, is offered at the point-of-sale or otherappropriate location whereupon the attendant or point-of-sale terminaloperator will activate the apparatus in any typical manner, such as byobtaining a phone line and entering card information into thepoint-of-sale terminal. Data entry may typically be performed by swipingthe magnetic strip of the card through a card reader of thepoint-of-sale terminal. The information and/or data pertinent to thetransaction and the card is then transmitted to the central processingcomputer.

The central processing computer will then process the information and/ordata pertinent to the transaction and to the particular card account andmay request, if needed, that the point-of-sale operator enter thetransaction amount. The central processing computer will process theinformation and/or data pertinent to the transaction in conjunction withthe card account information in order to determine if the card has beenlost, stolen and/or cancelled and/or de-activated. Further, the centralprocessing computer may perform a test in order to determine if themaximum credit, charge or debit account limit has been exceeded and/orif the card has been depleted of its currency value.

Once all of the information and/or data processing has been completed,the central processing computer will determine if the card has beenlost, stolen, and/or cancelled and/or de-activated and/or if the credit,charge or debit account limit of the card has been reached and/orexceeded and/or if the currency value of the card has been depleted.

The central processing computer may also perform a test in order todetermine if the predetermined maximum number of unauthorizedtransactions have occurred on the account. If any of the above listedconditions are found to exist (i.e. card is lost, stolen, cancelledand/or de-activated, or credit, charge or debit account limit has beenreached or exceeded, currency value depleted, or unauthorizedtransaction limit reached or exceeded), the central processing computermay transmit a signal to the point-of-sale terminal indicating that thetransaction is not approved and/or is not authorized. The point-of-saleterminal operator may then cancel the transaction. The point-of-saleterminal operator may then confiscate the card and/or alert theauthorities.

If, however, the central processing computer should determine that thecard is not lost, stolen, cancelled or de-activated, or that the credit,charge or debit account limit of the card has not been reached orexceeded, or that the of unauthorized transactions count has not reacheda predefined limit, the central processing computer may transmit asignal and/or data to the communication device which is located with thecardholder. The central processing computer may then also transmitrespective signals and/or data to any one or more of the cardholder'sdesignated fax machine, personal computer, telephone, telephoneanswering machine, alternate telephone, alternate telephone answeringmachine, network computer, and/or alternate beeper or pager, eithersequentially and/or simultaneously.

The information and/or data transmitted to the communication deviceincludes information and/or data identifying the transaction and mayinclude the name of the store or the service provider and the amount ofthe transaction. The information and/or data may also provide the timeof the transaction, the location (i.e. city, town, village, state,country, etc.) of the transaction. The information and/or data may alsoinclude the phone number of the central processing office and/orcomputer servicing the account so that the cardholder may telephone samein order to authorize or cancel the transaction. The information and/ordata may also be supplemented to include the type of goods and/orservices involved in the transaction, if such information can be enteredat the point-of-sale terminal.

The information and/or data which is transmitted from the centralprocessing computer, and received at the communication device, may bedisplayed to the cardholder on a display device of the communicationdevice. The information displayed on the display device may include thename of the store or the service provider, the amount of thetransaction, the time of the transaction and the location of thetransaction. The information and/or data may also be supplemented toinclude the type of goods and/or services involved in the transaction,if such information can be entered at the point-of-sale terminal.

The apparatus, or the central processing computer, may then wait for thecardholder to respond to the transmission. During this time, thecardholder may either utilize the reply or two-way pager feature on thecommunication device in order to either approve, or authorize, thetransaction or to disapprove, or void the transaction. The apparatus maythen determine if the cardholder has made a reply or response within apre-defined time limit. The cardholder may also transmit a signal via anappropriate key or button suspending use of the card such as when he orshe may first be apprised of the fact that the card has been lost orstolen. If the cardholder has replied or responded to the notice, theresponse may then be transmitted to, and received by, the centralprocessing computer. The cardholder may also simply telephone thecentral processing office or processing center, servicing the card, soas to personally notify the office or center of his or her response tothe central processing computer transmission regarding the transaction.

If the cardholder does not reply to the central processing computerwithin a pre-specified time, the central processing computer maytransmit a signal and/or data to the point-of-sale terminal indicatingthat, with the exception of receiving the authorization of thecardholder, the transaction is otherwise approved. The centralprocessing computer may also simply transmit a signal indicating thatthe transaction is not authorized and, therefore, should be cancelled ofvoided. The point-of-sale terminal operator may then either proceed tocomplete the transaction, try to obtain additional information from thepurchaser, or cancel the transaction.

The action taken by the point-of-sale terminal operator may be dictatedby the specific agreement in effect between the sales or serviceestablishment and the bank or financial institution administering thecard accounts. Thereafter, the operation of the apparatus will cease. Ifthe cardholder should reply or respond to the transaction notice at alater period, this information may then be utilized in order to approve,or to disapprove, and/or to dispute the transaction.

The central processing computer, after receiving the reply or responsefrom the cardholder, may then identify the cardholder response. Theapparatus, or the central processing computer, may then determine if thecardholder has replied or responded so as to authorize the transaction.If the cardholder's response is to cancel, to disapprove or notauthorize, the transaction, the central processing computer may transmita signal and/or data to the point-of-sale terminal which will notifyand/or instruct the point-of-sale terminal operator that the transactionis not authorized and, therefore, should be cancelled or voided. Thepoint-of-sale terminal operator may then cancel the transaction. Thepoint-of-sale terminal operator may then confiscate the card and/oralert the authorities. Thereafter, the apparatus will cease operation.

If, however, the central processing computer identifies the cardholderreply or response as being one to authorize the transaction, the centralprocessing computer may then transmit a signal and/or data to thepoint-of-sale terminal which may notify and/or instruct thepoint-of-sale terminal operator that the transaction is authorizedand/or approved. The point-of-sale terminal operator may then completethe transaction. Thereafter, operation of the apparatus will cease.

In cases when the cardholder is the party to the transaction, he or she,having the communication device with, or on, his or her person, mayauthorize the transaction at the point-of-sale location or from his orher remote location. The cardholder may also program and/or set thecommunication device to automatically authorize or disapprove ordisallow transactions.

In this regard, the communication device may be programmable so as toreceive and/or to analyze the transaction information and/or data andreply or respond to same automatically and/or with preset or programmedreplies and/or responses. The communication device may also beprogrammable so as to limit and/or restrict the amounts and/or types oftransactions, and/or the goods and/or services which may be purchasedwith the card, the stores or service providers which may be authorizedto accept the card, limits on the dollar amounts of transactionspertaining to each authorized vendor, seller and/or service provider,daily spending limits, and/or the geographical area or location to whichauthorized use may be limited, and/or authorized times for card usage(i.e. specific days, dates, time of day, time of month, year, etc.),and/or any other limitation and/or restriction regarding amount of thetransaction, the parties involved, the geographical area limitations,and/or the times of allowed usage. In this regard, the cardholder mayprovide for temporary transaction and/or purchasing amounts.

The communication device may also be provided with a memory device forstoring any number of transactions so that the cardholder may review hisaccount activity and/or transactions which have occurred involving hisor her card. In this manner, the cardholder may "scroll" through and/orin other ways review account activity at any time and for any timeperiod and/or interval. The communication device may also be equipped toservice more than one card. For example, a plurality of cards may beserviced with or by a single communication device.

The apparatus and method of the present invention provides for thereal-time authorization, notification and/or security of financialtransactions involving credit cards, charge cards, debit cards, and/orcurrency or "smart" cards, which enables a cardholder to monitor, inreal-time, all activity involving his or her card(s) and thecorresponding account numbers. The apparatus and method of the presentinvention also provides a means and a mechanism by which to inform acardholder that his or her card(s) are lost, stolen and/or are or havebeen fraudulently used, and/or when his or her card number(s) are orhave been fraudulently used, and provides an indication to thecardholder of where his or her card(s) are being or have been utilizedin transactions. The cardholder may then report the card lost or stolenand/or cancel and/or de-activate the card.

The present invention also provides a means and a mechanism by which tomonitor the number of transactions which are unauthorized by thecardholder and determine whether or not to authorize transactions and/orto cancel or to de-activate the card(s). In the above manner, thepresent invention provides an apparatus and a method to prevent and/orto drastically limit fraudulent and/or unauthorized use of credit cards,charge cards, debit cards, and/or currency or "smart" cards, and/or theaccount numbers corresponding thereto.

The present invention, in an alternate embodiment, may be utilized so asto provide authorization, notification and/or security in banking andrelated financial transactions involving checking accounts, savingsaccounts and/or automated teller machine (ATM) transactions and/or othertransactions wherein an account holder can be notified of a transactionand/or attempted transaction. In such an alternate embodiment, theapparatus comprises a banking transaction terminal, which terminals arefound in banks and financial institutions, and which may be a tellerterminal, a processing computer terminal and/or an ATM terminal. Theapparatus also comprises a central processing computer and acommunication device. The banking transaction terminal transmits anauthorization request which may include the data pertaining to theparticular account which is accessed and/or involved in the transactionand the type and the amount of the transaction, over a communicationsmedium, to the central processing computer for processing thetransaction request and/or the authorization pertaining thereto.

The central processing computer may transmit signals and/or datapertaining to the transaction to the communication device. The apparatusmay then operate and/or be utilized in a manner similar to, or analogousto, the apparatus utilized in conjunction with credit cards, chargecards, debit cards, and/or currency or "smart" cards, and/or the accountnumbers corresponding thereto, as described above.

In this manner, the apparatus and method of the present invention mayprovide for the real-time notification of banking and/or financialtransactions involving various bank and/or financial accounts and enablean account owner to monitor, in real-time, all activity involving his orher bank and/or financial accounts. The apparatus and method of thepresent invention also provides a means and a mechanism by which toinform an account owner that his or her account is overdrawn, has beencharged against and/or that his or her ATM card(s) are lost, stolen,cancelled or de-activated and/or provides an indication to the accountowner of when and/or where his or her accounts are being accessed intransactions and/or are being otherwise compromised. The account ownermay then report the unauthorized activity, or the discovery of a lost orstolen ATM card, and/or cancel and/or de-activate the respectiveaccount(s) and/or ATM card(s).

In another alternate embodiment, the apparatus and method of the presentinvention may also be utilized so as to provide authorization,notification and/or security for, and in conjunction with, cellularand/or mobile telephones and/or communication systems wherein a cellularor mobile telephone owner and/or account holder can be notified of atransmission and/or an attempted transmission and/or telephone call madewith his or her cellular or mobile telephone and/or with the telephonenumber and/or account information, which information may include, butnot be limited to, transmission codes and/or associated signaturesand/or data which corresponds to his or her cellular or mobiletelephone.

The apparatus utilized in conjunction with a cellular telephonecomprises a cellular telephone which serves as the transaction terminal,a central processing computer and a communication device. The cellulartelephone transmits signals and/or data which are received by thecentral processing computer. The central processing computer may thentransmit signals and/or data which are received by the communicationdevice. The apparatus may then operate and/or be utilized in a mannersimilar to, or analogous to, the apparatus utilized in conjunction withcredit cards, charge cards, debit cards, and/or currency or "smart"cards, savings accounts, checking accounts and/or automated tellermachine accounts, and/or the account numbers corresponding thereto, asdescribed above.

The apparatus and method of the present invention provides for thereal-time notification of cellular or mobile telephone usage whichenables a cellular telephone owner and/or account holder to monitor, inreal-time, all activity involving his or her cellular telephone. Theapparatus and method of the present invention also provides a means anda mechanism by which to inform a cellular telephone owner and/or accountholder that his or her cellular telephone is lost, stolen and/or isbeing fraudulently used, and/or that the telephone number is being usedin an unauthorized manner, and provides an indication to the cellulartelephone owner and/or account holder of how, when and where his or hercellular telephone, or the account number which corresponds thereto, isbeing utilized in cellular communication transactions. The cellulartelephone owner and/or account holder may then report the cellulartelephone lost or stolen and/or cancel and/or de-activate the cellulartelephone and/or the corresponding account and/or the account number.

The present invention also provides an apparatus and a method by whichto monitor the number of cellular or mobile telephone transactions whichare unauthorized by the cellular or mobile telephone owner and todetermine whether or not a central processing computer should cancel orde-activate the cellular telephone and/or the account. In the abovemanner, the present invention provides an apparatus and a method forpreventing and/or for drastically limiting fraudulent use and/orunauthorized use of cellular or mobile telephones and/or cellular ormobile telephone numbers. The present invention also provides anapparatus and a method for combating cellular telephone "cloning."

The apparatus and method of the present invention may also be utilizedin connection with an on-line service and/or on, or over, the Internetand/or the World Wide Web, so as to provide for a means by which theauthorized user or operator may utilize the apparatus in conjunctionwith a home and/or a personal computer and/or a commercial or industrialcomputer system (i.e., an internet server computer) and/or any otherappropriate device, including a personal communication and/or computingdevice, in a network environment, and which may be utilized over anysuitable and/or appropriate communications network or medium.

The communications system utilized in conjunction with the presentinvention may operate anywhere in the electromagnetic and/or the radiospectrum. Personal communication service (PCS) systems and devices,including stationary, portable and/or hand-held devices, and digitalsignal communications devices and systems, may also be utilized. Thecommunication system or medium should provide for the transmission andfor the reception of a multitude of remote electrical, electronic,electromagnetic, and/or other suitable signals, over long distancesand/or in a mobile and/or a wireless communications environment.

The apparatus and method of the present invention may be utilized inconjunction any appropriate communications device which may be utilizedwith any appropriate communications system and/or medium.

The present invention may also be equipped with, and be utilized with,hardware and software necessary for providing self-monitoring functions,automatic control and/or responses to occurrences, automatic notice ofan occurrence and/or a situation, to an owner, user and/or authorizedindividual. In this regard, any and all of the embodiments describedabove may comprise a monitoring device, a triggering device and/or anyother suitable device for detecting an occurrence and/or identifying asituation which may warrant providing notice to a card holder, accountowner, cellular telephone owner and/or an authorized individual.

In this regard, the apparatus and method may provide a transmission ofany appropriate signal from a transmitter and, if desired, from a voicesynthesizer to the card holder, account owner and/or cellular telephoneowner. The signal utilized could be in the form of a communicationtransmission, depending upon the communication medium utilized, atelephone call, a voice message, a beeper and/or a pager message, anelectronic mail message, a fax transmission, and/or any other mode ofcommunication which may be utilized with any of the apparatuses, devicesand/or components described herein.

In this regard, the apparatus may be designed or programmed to telephonethe cardholder, account owner and/or cellular telephone owner, and/orother authorized individual, at a primary phone number, at an alternateor forwarding phone number, and/or at a business phone number, send abeeper or pager message to the individual, and/or send a fax message, anelectronic mail (e-mail) message, a voice mail message and/or ananswering service message to, or for, the card holder, account ownerand/or cellular telephone owner or authorized individual. In thismanner, the apparatus may communicate with the desired individual byutilizing multiple notification and/or reporting avenues and/or devicesso as to provide and to ensure that best efforts are to be made tocommunicate with the desired individual as soon as possible.

The apparatus and method of the present invention may also beprogrammable for programmed and/or automatic activation,self-activation, programmed and/or automatic operation and/orself-operation. The apparatus and method of the present invention mayprovide for an immediate, as well as for a deferred, authorization,notification and/or security in any of the above-described financialtransactions and/or wireless communication transactions.

The present invention may also be utilized in such a manner that acommunication device may receive and/or transmit signals, data and/orinformation which pertains to multiple accounts and/or multiple types ofaccounts in order to provide authorization, notification and/or securityfor a plurality of any of the accounts described herein.

The present invention, in any of the embodiments described herein, mayalso be designed to be user-friendly. In this regard, the presentinvention may be menu-driven, and/or its operation may be menu-selected,from audio menus, visual menus, or both audio and visual menus.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and a method for providing authorization, notification and/orsecurity in financial transactions involving credit cards, charge cards,debit cards, and/or currency or "smart" cards, savings accounts,checking accounts and/or automated teller machine accounts and forproviding authorization, notification and/or security in wirelesscommunications transactions involving cellular telephones and/or othercellular communications devices.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatusand a method for providing authorization, notification and/or securityin financial transactions involving credit cards, charge cards, debitcards, wherein the cardholder may authorize or disapprove of atransaction, in real time.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatusand a method for providing authorization, notification and/or securityin financial transactions involving savings account, checking accountsand/or automated teller machine accounts, wherein the account owner mayauthorize or disapprove of a transaction, in real time.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatusand a method for providing authorization, notification and/or securityin wireless communications transactions involving cellular telephonesand/or other cellular communications devices, wherein the cellulartelephone or cellular communication device owner may authorize ordisapprove of a transaction, in real time.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatusand a method for providing authorization, notification and/or securityin financial transactions and/or in wireless communication transactions,which may be utilized on, over, or in conjunction with, an on-lineservice and/or the Internet, the World Wide Web, and/or any othersuitable communication network or medium.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and a method for providing authorization, notification and/orsecurity in financial transactions and/or in wireless communicationstransactions, which is programmable and/or which may provide forpre-programmed and/or pre-specified transaction authorization and/ortransaction disapproval.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and a method for providing authorization, notification and/orsecurity in financial transactions and/or in wireless communicationstransactions, which may be utilized over any suitable communicationsnetwork or medium.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and a method for providing authorization, notification and/orsecurity in financial transactions and/or in wireless communicationtransactions, wherein the respective cardholder, account owner orcellular telephone owner may increase or decrease the respective accountcredit limits, account activity, funds available, calling areas and/orusage limits at any time and/or from any location.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and a method for providing authorization, notification and/orsecurity in financial transactions and/or in wireless communicationstransactions, which is programmable with respect to authorized times ofusage (i.e. specific days, dates, time of day, time of month, year,etc.), and/or any other limitations regarding amount of transactionlimitations, parties involved, and/or geographical area and/or locationof allowed usage.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and a method for providing authorization, notification and/orsecurity in financial transactions, and/or in wireless communicationtransactions, for a plurality of accounts and types of accounts.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparentto those skilled in the art upon a review of the Description of thePreferred Embodiment taken in conjunction with the Drawings whichfollow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the Drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of the apparatus of the presentinvention which is utilized in conjunction with a credit card, a chargecard, a debit card, and/or a currency or "smart" card authorizationprocess;

FIG. 2 illustrates the various components of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates the operation of the apparatus of FIG. 1 in flowdiagram form;

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of an alternate embodiment of theapparatus of the present invention which is utilized in conjunction witha checking account, a savings account and/or an automated teller machinetransaction;

FIG. 5 illustrates the various components of the apparatus of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 illustrates the operation of the apparatus of FIG. 4 in flowdiagram form;

FIG. 7 illustrates a block diagram of an alternate embodiment of theapparatus of the present invention which is utilized in conjunction witha cellular and/or a mobile telephone;

FIG. 8 illustrates the various components of the apparatus of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 illustrates the operation of the apparatus of FIG. 7 in flowdiagram form;

FIG. 10 illustrates yet another alternate embodiment of the presentinvention wherein the apparatus of the present invention is utilized on,or over, an on-line service, the INTERNET and/or the World Wide Web orother suitable communication network or medium; and

FIG. 11 illustrates yet another alternate embodiment of the presentinvention which is also utilized in conjunction with an on-line serviceand/or on, or over, the INTERNET and/or the World Wide Web or thesuitable communication network or medium.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of theapparatus of the present invention, which is utilized in conjunctionwith a credit card, a charge card and/or a debit card authorizationprocess. The apparatus of FIG. 1 is denoted generally by the referencenumeral 1. With reference to FIG. 1, the apparatus consists of apoint-of-sale authorization terminal 2 which terminals are found invarious establishments and utilized in conjunction with the sale ofgoods and/or services and in other financial transactions.

The point-of-sale authorization terminal 2 (hereinafter referred to as"point-of-sale terminal") may be any of the widely used and well knownterminals or devices for providing point-of-sale authorization fortransactions involving credit cards, charge cards, debit cards and/orother currency or "smart" cards. The point-of-sale terminal 2 may beutilized at the location of the goods and/or service provider, such asthe retail store or office, and/or the point-of-sale terminal 2 may belocated at the site of the goods or service provider or vendor, such asin cases when the sale is a telephone order, mail order and/or othertype of transaction, including transactions made over the INTERNETand/or other on-line mediums.

Typically, the terminals and devices for providing point-of-saleauthorization comprise and utilize a magnetic card reader and/ormagnetic strip card reader, for reading data from the magnetic striplocated on credit cards, charge cards, debit cards and/or the currencyor "smart" cards. The point-of-sale terminal 2 transmits anauthorization request which may include the data pertaining to theparticular card utilized in the transaction and the amount of thetransaction, over a communications medium, to a central processingcomputer for processing the credit, charge, debit and/or othertransaction request and/or the authorization request pertaining thereto.

The point-of-sale terminal 2 also receives the authorization and/orauthorization data and/or information from the central processingcomputer. A printed transaction receipt may also be provided at and/orobtained via the point-of-sale terminal 2, or peripheral deviceassociated therewith, for printing a transaction receipt which isusually or typically signed by the card holder in completing thetransaction. The point-of-sale terminal 2 may be designed to read otherdata besides and/or in addition to magnetic card data. The point-of-saleterminal 2 may also comprise, or have associated therewith, a keypad forthe manual entry of transaction information and/or data, such as theamount of the transaction. The point-of-sale terminal 2 may also be anintegral component of a cash register or other transaction terminal ordevice which may provide for the automatic entry of transactioninformation and/or data.

The apparatus 1 also comprises a central processing computer 3 whichservices any predefined group of cardholders. For example, the centralprocessing computer 3 may handle all MASTERCARD transactions for a givenfinancial and/or credit institution. The central processing computer 3,for example, may process credit cards, charge cards, debit cards, and/orcurrency or "smart" cards and/or combinations of same, such as, forexample, VISA®, MASTERCARD®, and/or AMERICAN EXPRESS® cards and processand/or mange account information pertaining thereto. The centralprocessing computer 3 may also process accounts for any of the variousbanks and/or financial institutions which issue and/or manage creditcards, charge cards, debit cards and/or currency or "smart" cards(hereinafter referred to as "card" or "cards") and/or process or managethese accounts.

The central processing computer 3 may be a mainframe computer, amini-computer, a micro-computer, a server computer, such as thoseutilized in conjunction with on-line services and/or in a networkenvironment, and/or any other suitable computer or computer system.

In the preferred embodiment, the point-of-sale terminal 2 is linkedand/or connected to the central processing computer 3 via atelecommunications system, link and/or medium (hereinafter referred toas "communications system") such as, for example, a telephone network orline. It is important to note that the communications system which isutilized may be any communications system and may includetelecommunication systems, satellite communications systems, radiocommunication systems, digital communications systems, digital satellitecommunications systems, personal communications services communicationsystems as well as any other appropriate communications system. Thepoint-of-sale terminal 2 transmits signals and/or data to the centralprocessing computer 3 as well as receives signals and/or data from thecentral processing computer 3.

The apparatus 1 also comprises a cardholder communication device 4 whichmay receive signals and/or data from either or both of the point-of-saleterminal 2 and/or the central processing computer 3. In the preferredembodiment of FIG. 1, the communication device 4 receives signals anddata from the central processing computer 3 with said signals beingtransmitted via a suitable communication system. In the preferredembodiment, the communications system utilized for transmitting signalsand/or data to the communication device 4 is a wireless telephone lineand the communication device 4 is a telephone signal receiving devicesuch as a telephone beeper or pager. The communication device 4 or pagerreceives the wireless telephone signals and/or data from the centralprocessing computer 3 during the authorization procedure as will bedescribed in more detail below.

In the preferred embodiment, the communication device 4 is also equippedwith a transmitter for transmitting signals and/or data to the centralprocessing computer 3. In this regard, the central processing computer 3transmits signals and/or data to the communication device 4 as well asreceives signals and/or data from the communication device 4. Thecommunication device 4 may also transmit signals and/or data directly tothe point-of-sale terminal 2 and receive signals and/or data directlyfrom the point-of-sale terminal 2. In the preferred embodiment, thepoint-of-sale terminal 2 transmits signals and/or data to the centralprocessing computer 3 and receives signals and/or data from the centralprocessing computer 3. Further, in the preferred embodiment, thecommunication device 4 receives signals and/or data from the centralprocessing. computer 3 and transmits signals and/or data to the centralprocessing computer 3.

As noted above, the communication device 4 is a wireless device. In thisregard, the communication device 4 or pager may be carried by thecardholder and/or be kept on and/or close to the cardholder's person sothat the central processing computer 3 may transmit signals and/or datato the communication device 4 so as to communicate with the cardholderat any time. The communication device 4 may also comprise any one ormore of a facsimile (fax) machine, a personal computer, a telephone, atelephone answering machine, an alternate telephone, an alternatetelephone answering machine, a network computer, and/or an alternatebeeper or pager. The central processing computer 3 may be linked witheach of the above devices via any suitable communication system.

In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus 1 also comprises a facsimile(fax) machine 5, a personal computer 6, a telephone 7, a telephoneanswering machine 8, an alternate telephone 9, an alternate telephoneanswering machine 10, a network computer 11, an alternate beeper 12 andan alternate pager 13. The central processing computer 3 may be linkedwith the above fax machine 5, personal computer 6, telephone 7,associated answering machine 8, alternate telephone 9, alternatetelephone answering machine 10, network computer 11, and/or alternatebeeper 12 or pager 13, via any suitable communication system. In thepreferred embodiment, a telecommunications link or telephone network,line or link, which may or may not be a wireless link depending on thedevice and/or the circumstances, is utilized in order to link thecentral processing computer 3 with each of the fax machine 5, thepersonal computer 6, the telephone 7, the associated answering machine8, the alternate telephone 9, alternate telephone answering machine 10,the network computer 11, and/or the alternate beeper 12 and thealternate pager 13.

FIG. 2 illustrates the various components of the apparatus 1 of FIG. 1.In FIG. 2, the point-of-sale terminal 2, in the preferred embodiment,comprises a central processing unit or CPU 2A, a magnetic card reader2B, which is connected to the CPU 2A, associated random access memory 2C(RAM) and read only memory 2D (ROM) devices, which are also connected tothe CPU 2A, a user input device 2E, which is typically a keypad or othersuitable input device for inputting data into the terminal 2 and whichis also connected to the CPU 2A, and a display device 2F for displayinginformation and/or data to a user.

The point-of-sale terminal 2 also comprises a transmitter 2G fortransmitting signals and/or data to the central processing computer 3,and/or to the communication device 4 and/or to any other deviceassociated with the cardholder and/or the apparatus, if desired. Thetransmitter 2G is also connected to the CPU 2A. The point-of-saleterminal 2 also comprises a receiver 2H for receiving signals and/ordata from the central processing computer 3, and from the communicationdevice 4 and/or any other associated device which may be utilized, ifdesired. The receiver 2H is also connected to the CPU 2A. Thepoint-of-sale terminal 2 also comprises a printer 2I or otherappropriate output device for outputting data to the user. The printer2I is also connected to the CPU 2A. In the preferred embodiment, theprinter 2I prints receipts corresponding to the transaction.

In FIG. 2, the central processing computer 3, in the preferredembodiment, comprises a central processing unit or CPU 3A, associatedrandom access memory 3B (RAM) and read only memory 3C (ROM) devices,which are connected to the CPU 3A, a user input device 3D, which is akeypad and/or any other suitable input device for inputting data intothe central processing computer 3 and which is also connected to the CPU3A and a display device 3E for displaying information and/or data to auser or operator.

The central processing computer 3 also comprises a transmitter(s) 3F fortransmitting signals and/or data to the point-of-sale terminal 2 and tothe communication device 4 and/or to any one or more of the fax machine5, personal computer 6, telephone 7, telephone answering machine 8,alternate telephone 9, alternate telephone answering machine 10, networkcomputer 11 and/or alternate beeper 12 or alternate pager 13. Thetransmitter(s) 3F is also connected to the CPU 3A. The centralprocessing computer 3 also comprises a receiver(s) 3G for receivingsignals and/or data from the point-of-sale terminal 2 and from thecommunication device 4 and/or from any other suitable device which maybe utilized in conjunction with the apparatus 1. The receiver(s) 3G isalso connected to the CPU 3A. The central processing computer 3, in anyand/or all of the embodiments described herein, may utilize a fax/modemand/or any other suitable computer communication device.

The central processing computer also comprises a database(s) 3H whichcontains account information and data pertaining to the cardholdersand/or to the cardholder accounts. The database 3H contains informationabout the cardholder, the cardholders account number, credit and/oraccount limits, previous purchases, number of unauthorized purchasesmade to the account and other information and/or data necessary tomanage and/or process an account transaction as described herein.

The database 3H may also comprise data and/or information regardingspecific limitations and/or restrictions which may be placed on aparticular account, which may be pre-selected and/or programmed by thecardholder and which may include limitations and/or restrictions on theusage of the card. The limitations and/or restrictions may include thetypes of transactions which are allowed and/or authorized, the goodsand/or services which may be purchased with the card, the vendors,stores and/or service provider which may be authorized to accept thecard, limits on the dollar amounts of transactions pertaining to eachauthorized vendor, seller and/or service provider, daily spendinglimits, and/or the geographical area or location wherein authorized carduse may be limited, and/or authorized times for card usage (i.e.specific days, dates, time of day, time of month, year, etc.), and/orany other limitation and/or restriction regarding amount of transaction,parties involved, geographical area, and/or times of allowed usage. Thedatabase 3H is also connected to the CPU 3A. The central processingcomputer 3 also comprises a printer 3I or other appropriate outputdevice for outputting information and/or data to a user or operator.

In FIG. 2, the communication device 4, in the preferred embodiment,comprises a central processing unit or CPU 4A, associated random accessmemory 4B (RAM) and read only memory 4C (ROM) devices, which areconnected to the CPU 4A, a user input device 4D, which is a keypad or aplurality of keys and/or switches for inputting data into thecommunication device 4 and which is also connected to the CPU 4A, and adisplay device 4E, for displaying information and/or data to thecardholder, and a database 4F, which are also connected to the CPU 4A.The communication device 4 also comprises a receiver 4G for receivingsignals and/or data from the central processing computer 3 and which isalso connected to the CPU 4A, a transmitter 4H for transmitting signalsand/or data to the central processing computer 3 and which is alsoconnected to the CPU 4A.

In the preferred embodiment, the communication device 4 which isutilized is a pager with a reply feature and/or device. A two-way pagerand/or pager systems may also be utilized for implementing therespective component system(s) in the communication device 4/centralprocessing computer 3 combination and/or link.

The apparatus 1 of the present invention, in the preferred embodiment,may be utilized in order to facilitate cardholder authorization,notification and/or security measures in financial transactionsinvolving credit cards, charge cards, debit cards, and/or currency or"smart" cards, in the manner described below and with reference to FIG.3. In this manner, the apparatus 1 of the present invention may beutilized to obtain cardholder authorization in a card-relatedtransaction.

FIG. 3 illustrates the operation of the apparatus 1 in flow diagramform. With reference to FIG. 3, the operation of the apparatus 1commences at step 30 when the card, which is to be utilized in a creditcard, charge card, debit card, and/or currency or "smart" cardtransaction, is presented in the transaction. At step 31, the sales orservice attendant or point-of-sale terminal operator (hereinafter"point-of-sale terminal operator") will activate the apparatus 1 in anytypical manner, such as by obtaining a phone line and entering cardinformation into the point-of-sale terminal 2. This data entry istypically performed by swiping the magnetic strip of the card throughthe card reader 2B. The information and/or data pertinent to thetransaction, and/or the card, is then transmitted, at step 32, to thecentral processing computer 3.

The central processing computer 3 will, at step 33, process theinformation and/or data pertinent to the transaction and/or to theparticular card account and may request, if needed, that thepoint-of-sale operator enter the transaction amount. The centralprocessing computer 3 will then process the information and/or datapertinent to the transaction in conjunction with the card accountinformation in order to determine if the card has been lost, stolenand/or cancelled and/or de-activated. Further, the central processingcomputer 3 will perform a test to determine if the card has reachedand/or exceeded the maximum credit, charge or debit limit and/or if thecard has been depleted of its currency value.

The central processing computer 3 may utilize any of the widely knowndata processing and/or software routines, which are known to thoseskilled in that art, in order to process transaction requests and/orauthorizations involving the use of the respective card(s). Once theinformation and/or data processing has been completed at step 33, thecentral processing computer 3, at step 34, will determine if the cardhas been lost, stolen, and/or cancelled and/or de-activated, or if thecredit, charge or debit limit of the card has been reached and/orexceeded, or if the currency value of the card has been depleted.

The central processing computer 3 will, at step 34, also perform a testin order to determine if the predetermined maximum number ofunauthorized transactions have occurred on the account. The unauthorizedtransactions count refers to transactions which are not authorized bythe cardholder as will be described herein.

The authorized transaction count (UNAUTHCT) is a variable which ispre-set to zero (0) at the time the card account is issued.

Each time an unauthorized transaction occurs, the unauthorizedtransaction count is incremented by one (1). Once the unauthorizedtransaction count reaches a pre-defined limit of, for example, three(3), the central processing computer 3 will cancel the transaction andde-activate the card. The central processing computer 3 will then notifythe cardholder. In this manner, the apparatus 1 will enable the centralprocessing computer 3 of an issuing and/or card servicing institution tocancel and/or de-activate the card, either permanently and/ortemporarily, in cases when the cardholder may have failed to respond orto reply to transaction notices, which may be the case when thecardholder is not aware that the card has been lost or stolen, or whenthe card or account number has been duplicated, "cloned", or in otherways utilized without the cardholder's authorization, and/or when thecardholder is unable to respond or reply to the transaction notices forsome other reason(s). This feature of the present invention serves toput a usage limit on the use of the card(s). The central processingcomputer 3, at step 34, will also perform a test(s) to determine if anyadditional limitations and/or restrictions have been met and/orsatisfied.

If any of the above listed conditions exist (i.e. card is lost, stolen,cancelled and/or de-activated, or credit, charge or debit limit isreached and/or exceeded, currency value depleted, unauthorizedtransaction limit reached or exceeded limitations and/or restrictionsviolated, etc.), the central processing computer 3 will, at step 35,transmit a signal to the point-of-sale terminal 2 indicating that thetransaction is not approved and/or is not authorized. The point-of-saleterminal operator may then cancel the transaction, at step 36. Thepoint-of-sale terminal operator may then confiscate the card and/oralert the authorities. Upon the completion of step 36, the apparatuswill cease operation at step 55.

If, at step 34, the central processing computer 3 determines that thecard is not lost, stolen, cancelled or de-activated, or that the credit,charge or debit limit of the card has not been reached or exceeded, orthat the of unauthorized transactions count (UNAUTHCT) has not reached apre-defined limit, or whether any other pre-defined, pre-selected and/orprogrammed limitation(s) and/or restriction(s) have been met, have beensatisfied and/or have been reconciled, the central processing computer 3will, at step 37, transmit a signal and/or data to the communicationdevice 4 which is located at the cardholder.

At step 37, the central processing computer 3 will then also transmitrespective signals and/or data to any one or more of the cardholder'sdesignated fax machine 5, personal computer 6, telephone 7, telephoneanswering machine 8, alternate telephone 9, alternate telephoneanswering machine 10, network computer 11, and/or alternate beeper 12 oralternate pager 13.

The information and/or data which is transmitted to the communicationdevice 4 includes information and/or data identifying the transactionand may include the name of the store or the service provider and theamount of the transaction. The information and/or data may also providethe time of the transaction, the location (i.e. city, town, village,state, country etc.) of the transaction. The information and/or data mayalso include the phone number of the central processing office and/orcomputer servicing the account so that the cardholder may telephone samein order to authorize or cancel the transaction. The information and/ordata may also be supplemented to include the type of goods and/orservices involved in the transaction, if such information can be enteredat the point-of-sale terminal 2.

At step 38, the information and/or data which is transmitted from thecentral processing computer 3 and received at the communication device 4is displayed to the cardholder on the display device 4E of thecommunication device 4. The information displayed on the display device4E includes the name of the store or the service provider, the amount ofthe transaction, the time of the transaction and the location of thetransaction. The information and/or data may also be supplemented toinclude the type of goods and/or services involved in the transaction,if such information can be entered at the point-of-sale terminal 2.

The apparatus 1 will then, at step 39, wait for the cardholder torespond to the transmission. During this time, the cardholder may eitherutilize the reply or two-way pager feature on the communication device 4in order to either approve or authorize the transaction or disapprove ofor void the transaction. At step 39, the central processing computer 3will also receive the response if one is sent. At step 40, the apparatus1 will determine if the cardholder has made a reply or response withinthe pre-defined time limit which is chosen, in the preferred embodiment,to be one (1) minute. The cardholder may also transmit a signal via anappropriate key or button suspending use of the card such as when he orshe may first be apprised of the fact that the card has been lost orstolen. In instances when the communication device 4 does not have areply or two-way pager feature, the cardholder may simply telephone thecentral processing office or a processing center for the card in orderto personally appraise the center or office of his or her response tothe central processing computer transmission regarding the transaction.

If the cardholder does not respond or reply to the central processingoffice within the pre-specified time, chosen, in the preferredembodiment, to be one (1) minute, the central office computer will, atstep 41, increment the unauthorized transaction count (UNAUTHCT) by one(1) and will, at step 42, transmit a signal and/or data to thepoint-of-sale terminal 2 indicating that, with the exception ofreceiving the authorization of the cardholder, the transaction isotherwise approved. The point-of-sale terminal operator may then, atstep 43, either proceed to consummate the transaction, try to obtainadditional information from the purchaser, or cancel the transaction.The action taken by the point-of-sale terminal operator may be dictatedby the specific agreement in effect between the sales and/or serviceprovider establishment and the bank or financial institutionadministering the card account. Upon the completion of step 43, theoperation of the apparatus 1 will cease at step 44. If the cardholdershould reply or respond to the transaction notice at a later period, theresponse or reply information may then be utilized in order to approveof, or to disapprove and/or to dispute, the transaction.

If, at step 40, the response or reply is determined to be timely, thecentral processing computer 3 will, at step 45, process and identify thecardholder response. At step 46, the central processing computer 3 willdetermine if the cardholder has replied or responded so as to authorizethe transaction. If the cardholder's response is to cancel, disapproveor, or not to authorize, the transaction, the central processingcomputer 3 will, at step 47, increment an unauthorized transaction countby 1. At this juncture, it is important to note that the unauthorizedcount (UNAUTHCT) is set to zero at the time of the issuance of the card.After the unauthorized transaction count has been incremented, thecentral processing computer 3 will, at step 48, transmit a signal and/ordata to the point-of-sale terminal 2 which will notify and/or instructthe point-of-sale terminal operator that the transaction is notauthorized and should, therefore, be cancelled or voided. Thepoint-of-sale terminal operator may then cancel the transaction at step49. The point-of-sale terminal operator may then confiscate the cardand/or alert the authorities. Upon the completion of step 49, theapparatus will cease operation at step 50.

If, at step 46, the central processing computer 3 identifies thecardholder reply or response as being one to authorize the transaction,the central processing computer 3, at step 51, will reset theunauthorized transaction count (UNAUTHCT) to 0. An unauthorizedtransaction count (UNAUTHCT) of 0 will signify that any string ofunauthorized transactions has now been broken by the cardholder, andfurther, that the present transaction is approved by the cardholder. Thecentral processing computer 3 will then, at step 52, transmit a signaland/or data to the point-of-sale terminal 2 which will notify and/orinstruct the point-of-sale terminal operator that the transaction isauthorized and/or approved.

The point-of-sale terminal operator may then complete the transaction,at step 53. After the transaction has been completed at step 53, theoperation of the apparatus 1 will cease at step 54.

In instances when the cardholder is a party to the transaction, he orshe, having the communication device 4 on his or her person, mayauthorize the transaction at the point-of-sale location. If thetransaction is a telephone and/or other remotely made transaction, thecardholder may authorize the transaction from his or her remotelocation. The cardholder may also program and/or set the communicationdevice 4 to automatically authorize or disapprove or disallowtransactions. In this regard, the communication device 4 may beprogrammable so as to receive and analyze the transaction informationand/or data and reply and/or respond to same automatically and/or withpreset and/or programmed relies and/or responses. The communicationdevice 4 may also be programmable so as to limit the amounts oftransactions. In this regard, the cardholder may provide for temporarytransaction and/or purchasing amounts.

The communication device 4, in the preferred embodiment, is providedwith a memory device for storing any number of transactions so that thecardholder may review his or her card and/or account activity and/ortransactions which have occurred involving his or her card. In thismanner, the cardholder may "scroll" through and/or in other ways reviewcard and/or account activity. The communication device 4 may also beequipped to service more than one card. For example, a cardholder'sMASTERCARD®, VISA®, and/or AMERICAN EXPRESS® card or cards and theaccounts corresponding thereto may all be serviced with or by a singlecommunication device 4.

The apparatus and method of the present invention provides for thereal-time notification of financial transactions involving credit cards,charge cards, debit cards, and/or currency or "smart" cards, whichenables a cardholder to monitor, in real-time, activity involving his orher card(s) and the corresponding accounts. The apparatus and method ofthe present invention also provides a means and a mechanism by which toinform a cardholder that his or her card(s) are lost or stolen, and/orthat his or her card(s), and/or the account numbers correspondingthereto, are utilized without his or her authorization and also providesan indication to the cardholder of where his or her card(s) orcorresponding account number(s) is being utilized in transactions. Thecardholder may then report the card lost or stolen and/or cancel and/orde-activate the card and/or the account.

The present invention also provides a means and a mechanism by which tomonitor the number of transactions which are unauthorized by thecardholder and to determine whether or not to authorize transactionsand/or cancel or de-activate the card(s) and/or the account. In theabove manner, the apparatus and method of the present invention providesan apparatus and a method for preventing and/or for drastically limitingfraudulent and/or unauthorized use of credit cards, charge cards, debitcards, and/or currency or "smart" cards and/or the account numberscorresponding thereto.

The present invention, in an alternate embodiment, may be utilized so asto provide authorization, notification and/or security in banking andrelated financial transactions involving checking accounts, savingsaccounts and/or automated teller machine (ATM) accounts and transactionsand other transactions wherein an account owner may be notified of atransaction and/or an attempted transaction.

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of an alternate embodiment of theapparatus of the present invention which is utilized in conjunction witha checking account, savings account and/or ATM account and/ortransaction (hereinafter referred to as a "banking transaction") and/orthe authorization process involved therewith. The apparatus of FIG. 4 isdenoted generally by the reference numeral 100. In FIG. 4, the apparatus100 consists of a banking transaction terminal which terminals are foundin banks and financial establishments. In the preferred embodiment, thebanking transaction terminal 102 is a teller terminal, a processingcomputer terminal and/or an ATM terminal. Any other terminal or similardevice may also be utilized as the banking transaction terminal 102depending upon the application and/or the transaction.

The banking transaction terminal 102 (hereinafter referred to as"banking terminal") may be any of the widely used and well knownterminals or devices for providing banking transactionsover-the-counter, ATM transactions and/or in any other type of financialtransactions, including clearing transactions, check clearing and/oraccount charging and/or charge-back transactions, which transactionsbanks and financial institutions perform and/or engage in.

Typically, the banking terminals and/or devices comprise a computerterminal having an input device such as a keyboard and/or various readerand/or scanning device for reading and/or scanning, respectively,information and/or data necessary in order to perform the transaction.The banking terminal transmits an authorization request which mayinclude the data pertaining to the particular account which is accessedand/or involved in the transaction and the type and the amount of thetransaction, over a communications medium, to a central processingcomputer for processing the transaction, the transaction request and/orthe authorization request pertaining thereto. The banking terminal maytransmit the transaction authorization request and/or notice to acentral processing computer via a central bank computer (not shown)which may be a central computer at the particular bank or financialinstitution. The central processing computer may also be a centralcomputer system which is not located at the bank or financialinstitution, but rather, services the particular bank or financialinstitution or a group of banks or financial institutions.

The banking terminal 102 also receives the transaction and/orauthorization data and/or information from the central processingcomputer. If a central bank computer is utilized, the data transmittedfrom the central processing computer would be transmitted to the bankingterminal 102 via the central bank computer. A printed transactionreceipt may also be provided at and/or obtained via the banking terminal102, or peripheral device associated therewith, for printing atransaction receipt which is usually provided to the account holder atthe time and/or location of the transaction.

The banking terminal 102 may also comprise, and/or have associatedtherewith, a keypad for the manual entry of transaction informationand/or data, such as the amount of the transaction, account number, etc.The banking terminal 102 may also be an integral component of a tellerand/or cashier work station and/or other transaction terminals and/ordevices, including those which may provide for the automatic entry oftransaction information and/or data.

The apparatus 100 also comprises a central processing computer 103 whichservices any bank and/or financial institution and/or any pre-definedgroup of banks and/or financial institutions and/or any number ofaccounts associated therewith. For example, the central processingcomputer 103 may handle all checking accounts, savings accounts and/orother accounts for a given bank or banks. The central processingcomputer 103, for example, may process and maintain records of deposits,withdrawals, checks cashed, drafts, ATM deposits, ATM withdrawals,charges made against an account, credits made to an account, etc.,and/or any combinations of same. The central processing computer 103 mayprocess accounts for any of the various banks and/or financialinstitutions.

In the preferred embodiment, the banking terminal 102 is linked and/orconnected to the central processing computer 103 via atelecommunications system, link and/or medium (hereinafter referred toas "communications system") such as, for example, a telephone network orline. As noted above, the banking terminal 102 may or may not be linkedto the central processing computer 103 via a central bank computer. Itis important to note that the communications system which is utilizedmay be any communications system and may include telecommunicationsystems, satellite communications systems, radio communication systems,digital communications systems, digital satellite communicationssystems, personal communications services communication systems as wellas any other appropriate communications system. The banking terminal 102transmits signals and/or data to the central processing computer 103 aswell as receives signals and/or data from the central processingcomputer 103.

The central processing computer 103 may be a mainframe computer, amini-computer, a micro-computer, a server computer, such as thoseutilized in conjunction with on-line services and/or in a networkenvironment, and/or any other suitable computer or computer system.

The apparatus 100 also comprises an account owner communication device104 which may receive signals and/or data from either or both of thebanking transaction terminal 102 and/or the central processing computer103. In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 4, the communication device 104receives signals and/or data from the central processing computer 103with said signals being transmitted via a suitable communication system.In the preferred embodiment, the communications system utilized fortransmitting signals and/or data to the communication device 104 is awireless telephone line and the communication device 104 is a wirelesstelephone signal receiving device such as a telephone beeper or pager.The communication device 104, which may be a pager, receives thewireless telephone signals and/or data from the central processingcomputer 103 during the authorization procedure as will be described inmore detail below.

In the preferred embodiment, the communication device 104 is alsoequipped with a transmitter for transmitting signals and/or data to thecentral processing computer 103. In this regard, the central processingcomputer 103 transmits signals and/or data to the communication device104 as well as receives signals and/or data from the communicationdevice 104. The communication device 104 may also transmit signalsand/or data directly to the banking terminal 102 and receive signalsand/or data directly from the banking terminal 102. In the preferredembodiment, the banking terminal 102 transmits signals and/or data tothe central processing computer 103 and receives signals and/or datafrom the central processing computer 103. Further, in the preferredembodiment, the communication device 104 receives signals and/or datafrom the central processing computer 3 and transmits signals and/or datato the central processing computer 103.

As noted above, the communication device 104 is a wireless device. Inthis regard, the communication device 104 or pager may be carried by theaccount owner and/or be kept on and/or close to the account owner'sperson so that the central processing computer 103 may transmit signalsand/or data to the communication device 104 so as to communication withthe account owner at any time.

In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus 100 also comprises afacsimile (fax) machine 105, a personal computer 106, a telephone 107, atelephone answering machine 108, an alternate telephone 109, analternate telephone answering machine 110, a network computer 111,and/or an alternate beeper 112 or alternate pager 113. The centralprocessing computer 103 may be linked with the above fax machine 105,personal computer 106, telephone 107, associated answering machine 108,alternate telephone 109, alternate telephone answering machine 110,network computer 111 alternate beeper 112 and alternate pager 113, viaany suitable communication system. In the preferred embodiment, atelecommunications link or telephone line or link, which may or may notbe a wireless link, depending on the device and/or the circumstances, isutilized in order to link the central processing computer 103 with eachof the fax machine 105, the personal computer 106, the telephone 107,the associated answering machine 108, the alternate telephone 109, thealternate telephone answering machine 110, the network computer 111, thealternate beeper 112 and the alternate pager 113.

FIG. 5 illustrates the various components of the apparatus 100 of FIG.4. In FIG. 5, the banking terminal 102, in the preferred embodiment,comprises a central processing unit or CPU 102A, a scanner or reader102B, which is connected to the CPU 102A, associated random accessmemory 102C (RAM) and read only memory 102D (ROM) devices, which arealso connected to the CPU 102A, a user input device 102E, which istypically a keypad or other suitable input device for inputting datainto the banking terminal 102 and which is also connected to the CPU102A, and a display device 102F for displaying information and/or datato a user or operator, which display device 102F is also connected tothe CPU 102A.

The banking terminal 102 also comprises a transmitter 102G fortransmitting signals and/or data to the central processing computer 103,and/or to the communication device 104 and/or to any other deviceassociated with the account owner and/or the apparatus, if desired. Thetransmitter 102G is also connected to the CPU 102A. The banking terminal102 also comprises a receiver 102H for receiving signals and/or datafrom the central processing computer 103, and from the communicationdevice 104 and/or from any other associated device which may beutilized, if desired. The receiver 102H is also connected to the CPU102A. The banking terminal 102 also comprises a printer 102I or otherappropriate output device for outputting data to the operator. Theprinter 102I is also connected to the CPU 102A. In the preferredembodiment, the printer 102I prints receipts corresponding to thetransaction.

In FIG. 5, the central processing computer 103, in the preferredembodiment, comprises a central processing unit or CPU 103A, associatedrandom access memory 103B (RAM) and read only memory 103C (ROM) devices,which are connected to the CPU 103A, a user input device 103D, which isa keypad or any other suitable input device, for inputting data into thecentral processing computer 103 and which is also connected to the CPU103A, and a display device 103E for displaying information and/or datato a user or operator.

The central processing computer 103 also comprises a transmitter(s) 103Ffor transmitting signals and/or data to the banking terminal 102 and tothe communication device 104 and/or to any one or more of the faxmachine 105, the personal computer 106, the telephone 107, the telephoneanswering machine 108, the alternate telephone 109, the alternatetelephone answering machine 110, the network computer 111, the alternatebeeper 112, and/or the alternate pager 113. The transmitter(s) 103F isalso connected to the CPU 103A. The central processing computer 103 alsocomprises a receiver(s) 103G for receiving signals and/or data from thebanking transaction terminal 102 and from the communication device 104and/or from any other suitable device which may be utilized inconjunction with the apparatus 100. The receiver(s) 103G is alsoconnected to the CPU 103A.

The central processing computer 103 also comprises a database(s) 103Hwhich contains account information and data pertaining to the accountowner's account(s). The database 103H contains information about theaccount owner, the account number, etc., and any other informationand/or data necessary to the manage and/or process an account and/oraccount transaction as described herein. The database 103H is alsoconnected to the CPU 103A. The central processing computer 103 alsocomprises a printer 103I or other appropriate output device foroutputting information and/or data to a user or operator, which printer103I or other output device is also connected to the CPU 103A.

In FIG. 5, the communication device 104, in the preferred embodiment,comprises a central processing unit or CPU 104A, associated randomaccess memory 104B (RAM) and read only memory 104C (ROM) devices, whichare also connected to the CPU 104A, a user input device 104D, which is akeypad or a plurality of keys and/or switches for inputting data intothe communication device 104 and which is also connected to the CPU104A, and a display device 104E, for displaying information and/or datato the account owner, and a database 104F. This display device 104E andthe database 104F are also connected to the CPU 104A. The communicationdevice 104 also comprises a receiver 104G for receiving signals and/ordata from the central processing computer 103 and which is alsoconnected to the CPU 104A, and a transmitter 104H for transmittingsignals and/or data to the central processing computer 103 and which isalso connected to the CPU 104A.

In the preferred embodiment, the communication device 104, which isutilized, is a pager with a reply feature and/or device. A two-way pagerand/or pager system(s) may also be utilized for implementing therespective component systems in the communication device 104/centralprocessing computer 103 combination and/or link.

The apparatus 100 of the present invention, in the preferred embodiment,may be utilized in order to facilitate account owner authorization,notification and/or security, in financial transactions involvingchecking accounts, savings accounts and ATM accounts, and/or anytransactions involving same in the manner described below and withreference to FIG. 6. In this manner, the apparatus and method of thepresent invention may be utilized to obtain account owner authorizationin a banking and/or financial transaction.

FIG. 6 illustrates the operation of the apparatus 100 in flow diagramform. With reference to FIG. 6, the operation of the apparatus 100commences at step 130 when the financial transaction and/or instrumentor ATM card is presented to the bank or financial institution employee,representative and/or placed in a card reader, respectively. At step131, the employee or representative of the bank or financial institutionwill activate the apparatus, via the banking transaction terminal 102,in any typical manner, such as by entering account and/or cardinformation, into the banking transaction terminal 102. This data entryis typically performed by manual data entry and/or via a card reader,depending upon the transaction. For example, if a person offers a checkfor cashing and provides a savings account or a checking account number,as the means by which to endorse the check, the employee orrepresentative will enter the savings account or checking account numberinto the banking terminal 102 for processing. Similarly, if one desiresto withdraw money from an ATM account, the card reader will read andenter the account number and/or information for processing. Theinformation and/or data pertinent to the transaction and the card isthen transmitted, at step 132, to the central processing computer 103.

The central processing computer 103 will then, at step 133, process theinformation and/or data pertinent to the transaction and to theparticular account. The central processing computer 103 may utilize anyof the widely known data processing and/or software routines, which areknown to those skilled in that art, in order to process transactionrequests and/or authorizations involving the use of the respectiveaccount(s) and/or related card(s).

The central processing computer 103 will process the information and/ordata pertinent to the transaction in conjunction with the accountinformation in order to determine the status of the account (i.e.whether any holds have been placed on the account, such as thoseprohibiting withdrawals). Further, the central processing computer 103will then perform a test, at step 134, in order to determine if thetransaction amount has reached and/or exceeded the amount available inthe account and/or if the ATM card has been reported lost, stolen,cancelled and/or de-activated, and/or determine whether any otherpre-defined, pre-selected and/or programmed limitation(s) and/orrestriction(s) have been met, satisfied and/or reconciled. The centralprocessing computer 103 will also perform a test in order to determineif the predetermined maximum number count of unauthorized transactions,pre-defined in the preferred embodiment to be one (1), has occurred onthe account.

The unauthorized transaction count refers to a count of the transactionswhich are not authorized by the account owner as will be describedherein. The authorized transaction count (UNAUTHCT) is a variable whichis pre-set to zero (0) at the time the account is opened. Each time anunauthorized transaction occurs, the unauthorized transaction count isincremented by one.

Once the unauthorized transaction count reaches a pre-defined limit of,for example, one (1), although it may be pre-defined to be zero (0), thecentral processing computer 103 will cancel the transaction andde-activate the account and/or the ATM card. The central processingcomputer 103 will then notify the account owner. In this manner, theapparatus 100 will enable the central processing computer 103 of abanking and/or financial institution to cancel and/or de-activate theaccount and/or the ATM card, either permanently or temporarily, in caseswhen the account owner may have failed to respond or to reply totransaction notices, which may be the case when the account owner is notaware that the account has been charged, overdrawn, and/or that the ATMcard has been lost or stolen, cancelled or de-activated, duplicated,"cloned", or in other ways utilized without the account owner'sknowledge or authorization, or when the account owner is unable torespond or reply to the transaction notices for some other reason(s).This feature of the present invention serves to place a transaction stoplimit on the account and/or on the use of the ATM card.

If any of the above listed conditions exist (i.e. account overdrawnand/or ATM card is lost, stolen, cancelled and/or de-activated), thecentral processing computer 103 will, at step 135, transmit a signal tothe banking transaction terminal 102 indicating that the transaction isnot approved and/or is not authorized. The banking terminal operator, oremployee, or representative, may then cancel the transaction at step136. The employee or representative may then alert the authoritiesand/or confiscate the ATM card. In the case when an ATM machine isutilized as the banking terminal 102, the ATM machine may confiscate theATM card automatically. Upon the completion of step 136, the apparatuswill cease operation at step 137.

If, at step 134, the central processing computer 103 determines that theaccount is not overdrawn or that the ATM card is not lost, stolen,cancelled or de-activated, or that the of unauthorized transactionscount (UNAUTHCT) has not reached a predefined limit, and/or thatpre-defined or pre-specified limitations and/or restrictions have beenmet, the central processing computer 103 will, at step 138, transmit asignal and/or data to the communication device 104 which is located atthe account owner.

At step 138, the central processing computer 103 will then also transmitrespective signals and/or data to any one or more of the cardholder'sdesignated fax machine 105, personal computer 106, telephone 107,telephone answering machine 108, alternate telephone 109, alternatetelephone answering machine 110, network computer 111, and/or alternatebeeper 112 or alternate pager 113.

The information and/or data transmitted to the communication device 104includes information and data identifying the transaction and mayinclude the name of the bank or financial institution where thetransaction is taking place, the account number and/or description, theamount of the transaction, the time of the transaction and the location(i.e. city, town, village, state, country etc.) of the transaction. Theinformation and/or data may also include the phone number of the centralprocessing office and/or computer servicing, and/or the banking and/orfinancial institution handling, the account so that the account ownermay telephone same in order to authorize or cancel the transaction. Theinformation and/or data may also be supplemented to include adescription of the person seeking to make the transaction and the typeof transaction sought (i.e. cash withdrawal, cashing of check, etc.).

At step 139, the information and/or data which is transmitted from thecentral processing computer 103, and received at the communicationdevice 104, is displayed to the account owner on the display device 104Eof the communication device 104. The information displayed on thedisplay device 104 includes the name of the banking and/or financialinstitution, the amount of the transaction, the time of the transactionand the location of the transaction. The information and/or data mayalso include the type of transaction and a description of the personseeking to make the transaction, etc.

The apparatus 100, at step 140, will then wait for the account owner torespond to the transmission. During this time, the account owner mayeither utilize the reply or two-way pager feature on the communicationdevice 104 in order to either approve or authorize the transaction ordisapprove of, or void, the transaction. At step 140, the apparatus 100will receive the reply or response from the account owner. At step 141,the central processing computer 103 will determine if the account ownerhas made a reply or response within the pre-defined time limit which ischosen, in the preferred embodiment, to be one (1) minute. The accountowner may also transmit a signal via an appropriate key or buttonsuspending use of the account or ATM card, such as when he or she mayfirst be apprised of the fact that the account is being unlawfullyaccessed, or the use thereof is unauthorized, or that the ATM card hasbeen lost or stolen.

In instances when the communication device 104 does not have a reply ortwo-way pager feature, the account owner may simply telephone thecentral processing office or processing center and/or the banking orfinancial institution so as to personally reply or respond to theauthorization request.

If, at step 141, it is determined that the account owner's reply orresponse was not made within the pre-specified time, chosen in thepreferred embodiment to be one (1) minute, the central processingcomputer 103 will, at step 142, increment the unauthorized transactioncount (UNAUTHCT) by one (1) and will, at step 143, transmit a signaland/or data to the banking transaction terminal 102 indicating that thetransaction is not authorized by the account owner. The banking terminaloperator may then, at step 144, either cancel the transaction, proceedto consummate the transaction, and/or attempt to obtain additionalinformation or identification from the customer and/or obtain analternate account number from which to draw against.

The action taken by the banking transaction terminal operator may bedictated by the specific agreement in effect between the account ownerand the bank or financial institution administering the accounts. Uponthe completion of step 144, the operation of the apparatus will cease atstep 145. If the account owner should reply or respond to thetransaction notice at a later period, this information may then beutilized to approve of or to disapprove and/or to dispute thetransaction.

If, at step 141, it is determined that the reply or response was timely,the central processing computer 103 will, at step 146, process andidentify the account owner response. At step 147, the central processingcomputer 103 will determine if the account owner has authorized thetransaction. If the account owner's response is to cancel, todisapprove, or to not authorize, the transaction, the central processingcomputer 103 will, at step 148, increment the unauthorized transactioncount (UNAUTHCT) by 1. At this juncture, it is important to note thatthe unauthorized count (UNAUTHCT) is set to zero at the time of theopening of the account.

After the unauthorized transaction count has been incremented, thecentral processing computer 103 will, at step 149, transmit a signaland/or data to the banking terminal 102 which will notify and/orinstruct the banking terminal operator that the transaction is notauthorized and should, therefore, be cancelled or voided. The bankingterminal operator may then cancel the transaction at step 150. Thebanking transaction terminal operator or the ATM machine may thenconfiscate the ATM card and/or alert the authorities. Upon thecompletion of step 150, the apparatus will cease operation at step 151.

If, at step 147, the central processing computer 103 identifies theaccount owner's reply or response as being one to authorize thetransaction, the central processing computer 103 will, at step 151,reset the unauthorized transaction count (UNAUTHCT) to zero (0). Thecentral processing computer 103 will then, at step 153, transmit asignal and/or data to the banking terminal 102 which will notify and/orinstruct the banking terminal operator, and/or the ATM machine, that thetransaction is authorized and/or approved. The banking terminaloperator, and/or the ATM machine, may then complete the transaction, atstep 154. After the transaction has been completed at step 154, theoperation of the apparatus 100 will cease at step 155.

In instances when the account owner is a party to the transaction, whichshould typically be the case in banking and/or financial transactions,the account owner, having the communication device 104 on his or herperson, may authorize the transaction at the point of the transaction.If the transaction is an overnight or other remotely made transaction,such as in clearing and/or account settling transactions, the accountowner may authorize the transaction from his or her remote location.

The account owner may also program and/or set the communication device104 so as to automatically authorize or disapprove or disallowtransactions. In this regard, the communication device 104 may beprogrammable so as to receive and analyze the transaction informationand/or data and reply or respond to same automatically and/or withpreset or programmed replies and/or responses. The communication device104 may also be programmable so as to limit the amounts of transactions.In this regard, the account owner may provide for temporary transactiontypes and/or amounts.

The communication device 104, in the preferred embodiment, is providedwith a memory device for storing any number of transactions so that theaccount owner may review his or her account activity and/or transactionswhich have occurred involving his or her accounts and/or ATM card. Inthis manner, the account owner may "scroll" through and/or in other waysreview account activity. The communication device 104 may also beequipped to service more than one bank and/or financial account and/orATM card. For example, any number and/or types of accounts may beserviced with or by a single communication device 104.

The apparatus and method of the present invention provides for thereal-time notification of banking and/or financial transactionsinvolving various bank and/or financial accounts and enables an accountowner to monitor, in real-time, activity involving his or her bankand/or financial accounts and/or ATM card(s).

The apparatus and method of the present invention also provides a meansand a mechanism by which to inform an account owner that his or heraccount is overdrawn, has been charged against and/or that his or herATM card(s) are lost, stolen, cancelled or de-activated and/or providesan indication to the account owner of when and/or where his or heraccounts are being accessed in transactions. The account owner may thenreport the unauthorized activity, and/or the discovery of a lost orstolen ATM card, and/or cancel and/or de-activate the respectiveaccount(s) and/or ATM card(s).

The present invention, in an alternate embodiment, may also be utilizedso as to provide authorization, notification and/or security for, and inconjunction with, cellular and/or mobile telephone and/or communicationsystems wherein a cellular or mobile telephone owner and/or accountowner may be notified of a transmission and/or an attempted transmissionand/or telephone call made with his or her cellular or mobile telephoneand/or with the telephone number and or transmission codes and/orassociated signatures and/or data which corresponds to his or hercellular or mobile telephone.

FIG. 7 illustrates a block diagram of an alternate embodiment of theapparatus of the present invention which is utilized in conjunction witha cellular or mobile telephone (hereinafter referred to as "cellulartelephone") and/or corresponding cellular telephone account numberand/or information related thereto. The apparatus of FIG. 7 is denotedgenerally by the reference numeral 200. In FIG. 7, the apparatus 200consists of a cellular telephone 202 which may be any typical cellularand/or mobile telephone. Any other cellular and/or mobile communicationdevice may also be utilized.

The cellular telephone 202 may be any of the widely used and well knowncellular telephones and/or mobile communication device(s). In theembodiment of FIG. 7, the cellular telephone 202 serves as thetransaction terminal which is described above in conjunction with theprevious embodiments. As is the case with cellular telephones, thecellular telephone may transmit the authorization request and/or noticeto a central processing computer. The cellular telephone 202 may, butneed not, receive authorization data and/or information from the centralprocessing computer. The cellular telephone 202 may also comprise, orhave associated therewith, a keypad for the manual entry of transactioninformation and/or data, such as the telephone number and variouscommand codes utilized in making or placing a telephone call.

The apparatus 200 also comprises a central processing computer 203 whichservices any predefined group of cellular telephones or cellularcommunication devices. For example, the central processing computer 203may handle all cellular telephone accounts for a giventelecommunications company and/or area. The central processing computer203, for example, may process and maintain records of cellular telephonecalls, including billing information, for any number of cellulartelephones, cellular telephone accounts, and/or cellular telephoneowners which or who are serviced by a particular communications companyor central processing office or computer.

The central processing computer 203 may be a mainframe computer, amini-computer, a micro-computer, a server computer, such as thoseutilized in conjunction with on-line services and/or in a networkenvironment, and/or any other suitable computer or computer system.

The central processing computer 203 may also process accounts for any ofthe various cellular and/or mobile communications accounts and/ordevices. In the preferred embodiment, the cellular telephone 202 islinked and/or connected to the central processing computer 203 via atelecommunications system, link and/or medium (hereinafter referred toas "communications system") such as, for example, a telephone network orline. It is important to note that the communications system which isutilized may be any communications system and may includetelecommunication systems, satellite communications systems, radiocommunication systems, digital communications systems, digital satellitecommunications systems, personal communications services communicationsystems as well as any other appropriate communications system. Thecellular telephone 202 transmits signals and/or data to the centralprocessing computer 203 as well as receives signals and/or data from thecentral processing computer 203.

The apparatus 200 also comprises a cellular telephone ownercommunication device 204 which may receive signals and/or data fromeither or both of the cellular telephone 202 and/or the centralprocessing computer 203. In the embodiment of FIG. 7, the communicationdevice 204 receives signals and data from the central processingcomputer 203 with said signals being transmitted via a suitablecommunication system. In the embodiment of FIG. 7, the communicationssystem utilized for transmitting signals and/or data to thecommunication device 204 is a wireless telephone network or line and thecommunication device 204 is a wireless telephone signal receiving devicesuch as a telephone beeper or pager. The communication device 204 orpager receives the wireless telephone signals and/or data from thecentral processing computer 203 during the authorization procedure aswill be described in more detail below.

In the preferred embodiment, the communication device 204 is alsoequipped with a transmitter for transmitting signals and/or data to thecentral processing computer 203. In this regard, the central processingcomputer 203 transmits signals and/or data to the communication device204 as well as receives signals and/or data from the communicationdevice 204. The communication device 204 may also transmit signalsand/or data directly to the cellular telephone 202 and receive signalsand/or data directly from the cellular telephone 202.

In the preferred embodiment, signals and/or data which are transmittedby the cellular telephone 202 are received at the central processingcomputer 203. The cellular telephone 202 also receives signals and/ordata from the central processing computer 203. Further, in the alternateembodiment of FIG. 7, the communication device 204 receives signalsand/or data from the central processing computer 203 and transmitssignals and/or data to the central processing computer 203.

As noted above, the communication device 204 is a wireless device. Inthis regard, the communication device 204 or pager may be carried by thecellular telephone owner and/or be kept on and/or close to the cellulartelephone owner's person so that the central processing computer 203 maytransmit signals and/or data to the communication device 204 so as tocommunicate with the cellular telephone owner at any time.

In the alternate embodiment of FIG. 7, the apparatus 200 also comprisesa facsimile (fax) machine 205, a personal computer 201, a telephone 202,a telephone answering machine 208, an alternate telephone 209, analternate telephone answering machine 210, a network computer 211, analternate beeper 212, and an alternate pager 213.

The central processing computer 203 may be linked with the above faxmachine 205, personal computer 206, telephone 207 and associatedanswering machine 208, alternate telephone 209 and associated answeringmachine 210, network computer 211, alternate beeper 212 and/or alternatepager 213, via any suitable communication system. In the preferredembodiment, a telecommunications link or telephone line or link, whichmay or may not be a wireless link depending on the device and/or thecircumstances, is utilized in order to link the central processingcomputer 203 with each of the fax machine 205, the personal computer206, the telephone 207 and associated answering machine 208, thealternate telephone 209 and associated answering machine 210, thenetwork computer 211, the alternate beeper 212, and/or the alternatepager 213.

FIG. 8 illustrates the various components of the apparatus 200 of FIG.7. In FIG. 8, the cellular telephone 202, in the preferred embodiment,comprises a central processing unit or CPU 202A, associated randomaccess memory 202B (RAM) and read only memory 202C (ROM) devices, whichare also connected to the CPU 202A, a user input device 202D, which is atypically a keypad or other suitable input device for inputting datainto the cellular telephone 202 and which is also connected to the CPU202A, and a display device 202E for displaying information and/or datato a user or operator.

The cellular telephone 202 also comprises a transmitter 202F fortransmitting signals during normal telephone operation and/or fortransmitting signals and/or data to the central processing computer 203,and/or to the communication device 204 and/or to any other deviceassociated with the account owner or apparatus 200 if desired. Thetransmitter 202F is also connected to the CPU 202A. The cellulartelephone 202 also comprises a receiver 202G for receiving signalsduring normal telephone operation and/or for receiving signals and/ordata from the central processing computer 203, and from thecommunication device 204 and/or from any other associated device whichmay be utilized, if desired.

The receiver 202G is also connected to the CPU 202A. The cellulartelephone 202 may also comprise a printer 202H or other appropriateoutput device for outputting data to the user. The printer 202H, ifutilized, is also connected to the CPU 202A. In the preferredembodiment, the printer 202H prints receipts corresponding to thetransaction and/or information transmitted during the telephone call ortransaction.

In FIG. 8, the central processing computer 203, in the preferredembodiment, comprises a central processing unit or CPU 203A, associatedrandom access memory 203B (RAM) and read only memory 203C (ROM) devices,which are connected to the CPU 203A, a user input device 203D, which isa keypad or any other suitable input device for inputting data into thecentral processing computer 203 and which is also connected to the CPU203A and a display device 203E for displaying information and/or data toa user or operator.

The central processing computer 203 also comprises a transmitter(s) 203Ffor transmitting signals and/or data to the cellular telephone 202 andto the communication device 204 and/or to any other device which may beutilized and/or to any one or more of the fax machine 205, personalcomputer 206, telephone 207 and associated answering machine 208,alternate telephone 209 and associated answering machine 210, networkcomputer 211, alternate beeper 212, and/or alternate pager 213. Thetransmitter(s) 203F is also connected to the CPU 203A. The centralprocessing computer 203 also comprises a receiver(s) 203G for receivingsignals and/or data from the cellular telephone 202 and from thecommunication device 204 and/or from any other suitable device which maybe utilized in conjunction with the apparatus 200. The receiver(s) 203Gis also connected to the CPU 203A.

The central processing computer 203 also comprises a database(s) 203Hwhich contains account information and data pertaining to the cellulartelephone owner(s) and/or account(s). The database 203H containsinformation about the cellular telephone owner, the telephone number,etc., and any other information and/or data necessary to the manageand/or process an account and/or account transaction as describedherein. The database 203H may also contain information regarding anylimitations and/or restrictions placed on the cellular telephone and/orthe use thereof. The database 203H is also connected to the CPU 203A.The central processing computer 203 also comprises a printer 203I orother appropriate output device for outputting information and/or datato a user or operator.

In FIG. 8, the communication device 204, in the preferred embodiment,comprises a central processing unit or CPU 204A, associated randomaccess memory 204B (RAM) and read only memory 204C (ROM) devices, whichalso connected to the CPU 204A, a user input device 204D, which is akeypad or a plurality of keys and/or switches for inputting data intothe communication device 204 and which is also connected to the CPU204A, and a display device 204E, for displaying information and/or datato the cellular telephone owner, and a database 204F, which are alsoconnected to the CPU 204A.

The communication device 204 also comprises a receiver 204G forreceiving signals and/or data from the central processing computer 203and which is also connected to the CPU 204A, a transmitter 204H fortransmitting signals and/or data to the central processing computer 203and which is also connected to the CPU 204A. In the preferredembodiment, the communication device 204 utilized is a pager with areply feature and/or device. A two-way pager and/or pager systems mayalso be utilized for implementing the respective components, and/orsystems in the communication device 204/central processing computer 203combination and/or link.

The apparatus 200 of the present invention, in the preferred embodiment,may be utilized in order provide cellular telephone owner and/or accountowner authorization, notification and/or security measures intransactions involving cellular telephones and/or cellular telephonenumbers, and any transactions involving same in the manner describedbelow and with reference to FIG. 9. In this manner, the apparatus andmethod of the present invention may be utilized to obtain cellulartelephone owner and/or account owner authorization in a transactioninvolving cellular telephones and/or cellular telephone numbers.

FIG. 9 illustrates the operation of the apparatus 200 of FIG. 7 in flowdiagram form. It is important to note, with regards to the apparatus 200of FIG. 7, that the cellular telephone replaces the transaction terminalof the previously described embodiments. With reference to FIG. 9, theoperation of the apparatus 200 commences at step 230 when the cellulartelephone 202 is utilized to make a cellular telephone call and/ortransaction.

The cellular telephone 202 will activate the apparatus 200, at step 231,with the initiation of the cellular telephone call, and/or in any othertypical manner, such as when a cellular telephone is utilized to gainaccess to the telephone network so that the calling connection may beestablished via the cellular communications network and/or the cellsite. Upon the making of the cellular telephone call, at step 231, thecellular telephone 202 will transmit data and/or information, whichidentifies the calling telephone, to the central processing computerwhich services the particular cellular telephone or cellular telephonenetwork, so that appropriate billing and/or accounting of telephoneusage may be noted and/or processed. In the preferred embodiment, thecentral processing computer for the particular cellular telephone and/orcellular telephone network is the central processing computer 203. Atstep 232, the central processing computer will receive and store thedata and/or information which is transmitted by the cellular telephone202. At step 233, the central processing computer 203 will process thedata and/or information which is received from the cellular telephone202.

The central processing computer 203 may utilize any of the widely knowndata processing and/or software routines, which are known to thoseskilled in that art, in order to process transaction requests and/orauthorizations involving the use of the respective cellular telephone(s)and/or cellular communication device, and/or cellular telephone number.At step 234, the central processing computer 203 will perform a test inorder to determine if the cellular telephone is lost, stolen, cancelledor de-activated. If the cellular telephone is determined to be lost,stolen, cancelled or de-activated, the central processing computer 203will, at step 235, block the telephone call or terminate the call if ithas already been connected. The central processing computer 203 willthen, at step 236, cancel and/or de-activate the cellular telephonenumber or account. The central processing computer 203 will then, atstep 237, notify the cellular telephone owner that his or her cellulartelephone has been cancelled and/or de-activated. The operation of theapparatus will then cease at step 238.

If, at step 234, the central processing computer 203 determines that thecellular telephone is not lost, stolen, cancelled or de-activated, thecentral processing computer 203 will, at step 239, transmit a signaland/or data to the communication device 204 which is located at thecellular telephone owner. At step 240, the communication device 204 willreceive and display the data and/or information which is transmittedfrom the central processing computer 203. The displayed information, inthe preferred embodiment, will include the number called, the time ofthe call, and the duration of the call, in real-time. The informationwill remain displayed during the duration of the call so that thecellular telephone owner will be notified continuously throughout theduration of the call.

At step 241, the central processing computer 203 will await the cellulartelephone owner's reply or response. If the cellular telephone ownerreplies or responds, the reply or response data will also be transmittedto, and received by, the central processing computer 203 at step 241. Atstep 242, the central processing computer 203 will then determine if thecellular telephone owner's response was made within a pre-defined timeperiod, which is chosen, in the preferred embodiment, to be one (1)minute. If at step 242, it is determined that the cellular telephoneowner did not reply or respond within the predefined time limit, thecentral processing computer will, at step 243, increment theunauthorized transaction count (UNAUTHCT) by one (1).

The central processing computer 203 will then, depending uponpre-defined instructions of the cellular telephone owner, at step 244,either allow the telephone call to continue, such as for a pre-definedduration of one (1) minute, so as to allow for cases wherein anemergency condition exists, or terminate the telephone call immediately.The decision to either allow the telephone call to continue or toterminate the telephone call can be made by the cellular telephone ownerand/or by the cellular telephone service provider. Upon the completionof step 244, the central processing computer 203 will then, at step 245,cancel and/or de-activate the cellular telephone. Thereafter, thecentral processing computer 203 will, at step 246, notify the cellulartelephone owner that the cellular telephone number or account has beencancelled and/or de-activated. Upon completion of step 246, theapparatus will cease operation at step 247.

If, at step 242, the cellular telephone owner did respond in time, thecentral processing computer 203 will process the reply or response dataand/or information, at step 248. The central processing computer 203will then determine, at step 249, if the cellular telephone call isauthorized by the cellular telephone owner. If, at step 249, thecellular telephone call is unauthorized, the central processing computerwill, at step 250, increment the unauthorized transaction count(UNAUTHCT) by one (1). The central processing computer 203 will then, atstep 251, terminate the telephone call immediately. Upon the completionof step 251, the central processing computer 203 will then, at step 252,cancel and/or de-activate the cellular telephone. Thereafter, thecentral processing computer 203 will, at step 253, notify the cellulartelephone owner that the cellular telephone has been cancelled and/orde-activated. Upon completion of step 253, the apparatus will ceaseoperation at step 254.

If, at step 249, the central processing computer 203 identifies thecardholder reply or response as being one to authorize the cellulartelephone call, the central processing computer 203 will, at step 255,reset the unauthorized transaction count (UNAUTHCT) to zero (0). Anunauthorized transaction count (UNAUTHCT) of 0 will signify that anystring of unauthorized transactions has now been broken by the cellulartelephone owner. The central processing computer 203 will then, at step256, allow the cellular telephone call to continue uninterrupted. Uponthe completion of the cellular telephone call, at step 256, theapparatus 200 will cease operation at step 257.

In instances when the cellular telephone owner is a party to thecellular telephone call and/or transaction, he or she, having thecommunication device 204 on his or her person, may authorize the calland/or transaction at his or her present location. If the cellulartelephone owner has lent out the cellular telephone, he or she mayauthorize the cellular telephone call and/or transaction from his or herremote location. The cellular telephone owner may also program and/orset the communication device 204 to automatically authorize ordisapprove or disallow cellular telephone calls and/or transactions withsaid selective authorizations being made as to time of day, callingareas, numbers called, and/or call and/or transaction duration. In thisregard, the communication device 204 may be programmable so as toreceive and analyze the cellular telephone call information and/or dataand reply or respond to same automatically and/or with preset orprogrammed replies and/or responses. The communication device 204 mayalso be programmable so as to limit the number of cellular telephonecalls made from the cellular telephone and/or with the cellulartelephone number.

The communication device 204, in the preferred embodiment, is providedwith a memory device for storing any number of cellular telephone callsand/or transactions so that the cellular telephone owner may review hisor her account activity and/or cellular calls and/or transactions madeand/or which have occurred involving his or her cellular telephone. Inthis manner, the cellular telephone owner may "scroll" through and/or inother ways review account activity. The communication device 204 mayalso be equipped to service more than one cellular telephone and/ormobile communication device(s).

The apparatus and method of the present invention provides for thereal-time notification of cellular and/or mobile telephone usage whichenables a cellular telephone owner and/or account owner to monitor, inreal-time, activity involving his or her cellular telephone and/orcellular telephone number. The apparatus and method of the presentinvention also provides a means and a mechanism by which to inform acellular telephone owner that the cellular telephone is lost or stolen,and/or to provide notification to the cellular telephone owner that hisor her cellular telephone number is being utilized in calls and/ortransactions, such as when a cellular telephone has been illegally"cloned". The cellular telephone owner may then report the cellulartelephone lost or stolen and/or cancel and/or de-activate the cellulartelephone number and/or account.

The present invention also provides a means and a mechanism by which tomonitor the number of cellular or mobile telephone calls and/ortransactions which are unauthorized by the cellular telephone owner andto determine whether or not to de-activate the cellular telephone and/orthe cellular telephone number and/or account. In the above manner, theapparatus and method of the present invention provides an apparatus anda method to prevent and/or to drastically limit fraudulent and/orunauthorized use of, and/or the "cloning" of, cellular telephones and/orthe unauthorized use of cellular telephone numbers.

The apparatus and method of the present invention may also be utilizedin connection with an on-line service and/or on, or over, the Internetand/or the World Wide Web, so as to provide for a means by which therespective cardholder, account owner, and/or cellular telephone owner,may utilize the apparatus and method in conjunction with a home and/or apersonal computer, a personal communications device, and/or a commercialor industrial computer system (i.e., an internet server computer),and/or any other appropriate device, in any appropriate network, systemor medium.

FIG. 10 illustrates yet another alternate embodiment of the presentinvention wherein the apparatus and method of any of the embodimentsdescribed herein may be utilized on, or over, an on-line service, theInternet, and/or the World Wide Web, and/or any other suitablecommunication network or medium. In FIG. 10, the apparatus, which isdenoted generally by the reference numeral 300, comprises a transactionterminal 302, which may be a transaction terminal or a cellulartelephone or communication device, depending upon the application, aserver computer 350, which is a central processing computer forprocessing data and/or information in an on-line, and/or Internet,and/or World Wide Web, communication environment, network, or medium.

The server computer 350 may be a mainframe computer, a mini-computer, amicro-computer, a server computer, such as those utilized in conjunctionwith on-line services and/or in a network environment, and/or any othersuitable computer or computer system. The server computer 350, in thepreferred embodiment, should have associated therewith a suitablereceiver(s) or transmitter(s) which may be a fax/modem and/or any otherdevice(s) which are well known to those skilled in the art for providingcommunications and/or a link with a server computer in such a networkenvironment.

The apparatus of FIG. 10 also comprises a communications device 304which may comprise a home and/or a personal computer, a laptop or anotebook computer and any one or more of the herein-described personalcommunications devices so that the individual may access the apparatus300, and in particular, the server computer 350, at any time and fromany location. Basically, the embodiment of FIG. 10 serves to replace thecentral processing computer of the previously described embodiments witha server computer for utilization on, or over, an on-line service, theInternet, the World Wide Web, and/or any other suitable communicationsnetwork or medium. The apparatus of FIG. 10 operates and is utilized inthe same, in similar and/or an analogous, manner as described herein inconjunction with the previously described embodiments.

FIG. 11 illustrates yet another alternate embodiment of the presentinvention, wherein the present invention is also utilized in conjunctionwith an on-line service and/or on, or over, the Internet and/or theWorld Wide Web, and/or any other suitable communication network ormedium. In FIG. 11, the apparatus, which is denoted generally by thereference numeral 400, comprises a transaction terminal 402, which maybe a transaction terminal and/or a cellular telephone and/or cellularcommunications device, depending upon the application.

The apparatus of FIG. 11 also comprises a central processing computer403 which provides processing and/or control over the apparatus 400 inthe manner described above in conjunction with the previously describedembodiments. The central processing computer 403 and/or the servercomputer 450 may be a mainframe computer, a mini-computer, amicro-computer, a server computer, such as those utilized in conjunctionwith on-line services and/or in a network environment, and/or any othersuitable computer or computer system.

The apparatus 400 of FIG. 11 also comprises a communications device(s)404 such as those described herein and in conjunction with the apparatus300 of FIG. 10. The apparatus also comprises a server computer 450 whichmay either perform parallel operations and/or processing of the dataand/or information which is performed and/or processed by the centralprocessing computer 403 and/or may simply receive the data and/orinformation processed by the central processing computer 403. In anyevent, the server computer 450 provides the means by which the dataand/or information, which is provided by the apparatus, can be accessedand or utilized via an on-line service and/or on, or over, the Internet,and/or the World Wide Web, and/or any other communications network ormedium.

The server computer 450 should have associated therewith a suitablereceiver(s) or transmitter(s) which may be a fax/modem and/or any otherdevice(s) which are well known to those skilled in the art for providingcommunications and/or a link with a server computer in such a networkenvironment. The apparatus of FIG. 11 also comprises a communicationsdevice 404 which may comprise a home and/or a personal computer, alaptop or a notebook computer, and/or any one or more of the hereindescribed personal communications devices so that the individual mayaccess the apparatus, and in particular, the server computer 450, at anytime and from any location. The apparatus of FIG. 11 is utilized and/oroperates in the same, a similar and/or an analogous, manner as any ofthe embodiments described herein.

Applicant hereby incorporates by reference herein all of the methodsand/or techniques for providing information and/or data over on-lineservice and/or on, or over, the Internet, and/or the World Wide Web,and/or any other suitable communication network or medium, along withclient/server and/or Web Site technology and methods and/or techniquesutilized in conjunction therewith, which are known as of the filing dateof this application.

In any and/or all of the embodiments described herein, each and everyone the components of the apparatus, which include, but which are notlimited to, the described transaction terminals, cellular telephonesand/or other cellular communications devices, central processingcomputers, server computers, if utilized, and any of the variouscommunications devices, may transmit and/or receive signals and/or data,and/or be capable or transmitting and/or receiving signals and/or data,to and from any and all of the other apparatus components which may beutilized in conjunction therewith, in and for a given embodiment. Inthis regard, it is important to note, with respect to the embodiments ofFIGS. 10 and 11, and any of the other embodiments described herein, thateach and every component involved in the transmission and/or receptionof signals, data and/or information may include an associatedtransmitter, receiver and/or suitable communication device.

The communication system or medium should provide for the transmissionand/or for the reception of a multitude of remote electrical,electronic, electromagnetic, and/or other suitable signals, over longdistances and/or in a mobile and/or a wireless communicationsenvironment. Telephone signals and telephone communication devices canbe utilized in the present invention as well as personal computers andassociated peripheral devices which may be utilized withtelecommunications and/or other suitable communication systems and/ormediums.

The apparatus and method of the present invention may operate over anyappropriate communications system, network and/or medium and/or othersuitable communications systems, including radio signal, optical,satellite, digital, digital satellite, and/or other communicationssystems. The communications system utilized may operate anywhere in theelectromagnetic and/or radio frequency spectrum. As noted above, thepresent invention may also be utilized in conjunction with a satellitecommunications system, in which case, the receivers and transmitterswhich are utilized in conjunction with the apparatus should be satellitecommunication receivers and transmitters, respectively. For example, theassociated receiver(s) may be a satellite dish receiver(s).

In this regard, the cardholder, account owner or cellular telephoneowner may utilize the apparatus and method of the present invention toits fullest capabilities over an on-line service and/or on, or over, theInternet, and/or the World Wide Web, and/or any other suitablecommunication network or medium. In this manner, the embodiment of FIGS.10 and 11 may allow the cardholder, account owner or cellular telephoneowner to utilize the apparatus and/or to monitor the operation of theapparatus over the on-line service and/or on, or over, the Internet,and/or the World Wide Web, and/or any other communication network ormedium, from any suitable computer or device, and/or from any location.

The system receiver(s) may also be utilized in conjunction with a homeand/or a personal computer and/or other personal communicationsdevice(s) and/or apparatuses which may be utilized with an associatedreceiver or equivalent peripheral device(s). The apparatus may also beutilized in conjunction with a computer network such as an on-lineservice and/or on, or over, the Internet, and/or the World Wide Web, byemploying any appropriate server computer and/or an associated Web Siteand/or Web Site technology in conjunction with an appropriatecommunication medium and communication equipment.

In any of the above described embodiments, the present invention may beutilized in conjunction with any suitable communication device(s) and/orcommunication system(s). In this manner, the present invention may beutilized in conjunction with a telephone, a line-connected and/or apermanent telephone, a touch-tone telephone, a cordless telephone and/ora cellular or mobile telephone, a home and/or a personal computer havingassociated telecommunication devices or other suitable peripheraldevice(s), such as a modem and/or a fax/modem, and/or other suitablepersonal communication devices which can operate over an appropriatecommunications system, and/or other suitable communications systemsand/or mediums, including radio signal, optical, satellite, digital,and/or other communications systems and/or mediums.

Any suitable communication system and/or medium may be utilized.Personal communication service (PCS) systems and devices, includingstationary, portable and/or hand-held devices, may also be utilized.Digital signal communications devices and systems may also be utilized.Televisions, interactive and/or digital televisions, personalcommunication devices, personal communication services (PCS) devices,personal digital assistants, cellular telephones, display telephones,video telephones, display cellular telephones and electronicallyequipped watches and/or other devices and/or effects and/or accessories,may also be utilized for performing user interactive control,monitoring, authorization, notification and/or security functions inconjunction with the present invention.

It should be noted that the telephone/telephone beeper or pager system,including two-way pager systems, may be replaced with any other type oftransmitter/receiver combination, electronic or otherwise, whichprovides for the transmission and reception of a multitude of remoteelectrical, electronic, electromagnetic, and/or other suitable signals,over long distances and/or in a mobile and/or a wireless communicationsenvironment. As noted above, a personal computer system which may beadapted to such operation, or a personal communication device(s) orpersonal communication services (PCS) device(s) may also be utilizedfor, or in, any of the transmitter/receiver system combinationsdescribed herein. Two-way pagers and reply pagers may also be utilizedfor any, or in any, of the transmitter/receiver system combinationsdescribed herein.

The communication device(s) utilized in the present invention, as wellas the associated transaction terminal and/or cellular communicationsdevice(s) and/or associated central processing computer may be personalcommunication services (PCS) devices and/or other suitablecommunications devices. A television, appropriately equipped to receiveand/or to transmit signals may also be utilized. It is also envisionedthat digital televisions, interactive televisions, personalcommunications devices, personal communications services (PCS) devices,personal digital assistants, display telephones, electronically equippedwatches, cellular telephones and/or display cellular telephones may alsobe utilized in conjunction with the present invention.

It is also important to note that the communication device(s), in any ofthe embodiments described herein may be a home and/or a personalcomputer having associated therewith an appropriate receiver(s) andtransmitter(s) such as, for example, a fax/modem.

It is important to note that the telephone/telephone beeper system,described above, may be replaced with any remote transmitter/receiversystem, such as by a remote transmitter, i.e., a television-type remotecontrol unit, which control unit would require a user interface featureand which has the capability to remotely transmit a multitude of signalsover long distances to an associated receiver. A two-way pager, a replypager, or any other appropriate two-way communication device may also beutilized. A home and/or a personal computer, with requisite peripheraldevices, a personal communication device and/or a personal communicationservices (PCS) device may also be utilized. Digital communicationsdevices, interactive televisions and/or digital televisions may also beutilized. It is also envisioned that digital televisions, interactivetelevisions, personal communications devices, personal communicationsservices (PCS) devices, personal digital assistants, display telephones,video telephones, electronically equipped watches and/or other effectsor accessories, cellular telephones, display cellular telephones, mayalso be utilized.

The apparatus of the present invention may be designed or programmed totelephone an owner, user, operator, occupant, or other authorizedcentral office individual or other authorized individual, at a primaryphone number, at an alternate or forwarding phone number and/or at abusiness phone number, send a beeper or pager message to the individualor central office and/or send a facsimile message, an electronic mailmessage, a voice mail message and/or an answering service message to, orfor, the individual or central office. In this manner, the apparatus mayreport a theft and/or a malfunction situation to the interestedindividual(s) by utilizing multiple notification and/or reportingavenues and/or schemes so as to provide and ensure that the interestedindividual(s) are in fact notified as soon as possible. The multiplenotification transmissions may be sequentially and/or simultaneouslyperformed.

The apparatus and method of the present invention may also beprogrammable for programmed and/or automatic activation,self-activation, programmed and/or automatic operation and/orself-operation. The apparatus and method of the present invention mayprovide for an immediate, as well as for a deferred, control, monitoringand/or security function, and/or response thereto, so as to provide forthe immediate and/or the deferred control, activation, de-activation,programming, monitoring and/or security, etc., of any one or more theherein described credit cards, charge cards, debit cards, currency or"smart" cards, banking and/or financial accounts and associatedtransaction cards, and/or cellular telephones and/or cellular or mobilecommunications devices, and/or any other suitable application in and forwhich the present invention may be utilized.

In any of the herein-described embodiments, the communications devicesand associated transaction terminals and/or cellular communicationsdevices and associated central processing computers, may be devices forreceiving, and transmitting, respectively, radio signals, satellitecommunication signals, telecommunications signals, optical communicationsignals and/or other signals and/or those signals, including digitalsignals, which are utilized in conjunction with personal communicationdevices and/or personal communication services (PCS) devices. Thedevices utilized should, however, be of the same type and/or operatecompatibly with the corresponding transmitters and receivers of theapparatus of the present invention.

The present invention may also be equipped with, and be utilized inconjunction with, hardware and software necessary for providingself-monitoring functions, automatic control and/or responses tooccurrences, providing automatic notice of an occurrence and/or asituation to an owner, user and/or authorized individual. In thisregard, any and all of the embodiments described above may comprise amonitoring device, a triggering device and/or any other suitable devicefor detecting an occurrence and/or a transaction which may warrantproviding notice to the respective cardholder, account owner and/orcellular telephone owner. In this regard, the apparatus may provide foran appropriate signal, data and/or information transmission to thecentral processing computer, and/or server computer, if utilized. Thesignal, data and/or information may be conveyed in the form of acommunication transmission, depending upon the communication mediumutilized, a telephone call, a voice message, a beeper and/or a pagermessage, an electronic mail message, a fax transmission, and/or anyother mode of communication which may be utilized in conjunction withany of the embodiments described herein.

The present invention, in any of the embodiments described herein, maybe designed to be user-friendly. In this regard, the present inventionmay be menu-driven, and/or its operation may be menu-selected, fromaudio menus, visual menus, or both audio and visual menus.

While the present invention has been illustrated and described as beingutilized in conjunction with providing notice and for obtainingauthorizations with regard to transactions involving credit cards,charge cards, debit cards, and/or currency or "smart" cards, bankingand/or financial accounts, and/or in conjunction with cellular and/ormobile telephones, it is also envisioned that the present invention maybe utilized in any similar type of transactional activity, such aspurchasing and/or sale activity over an on-line service, the Internet,and/or the World Wide Web and/or in any other type of transactionwherein frequent notice and/or account holder authorization may beutilized to guard against theft and/or fraud and/or unauthorizedtransactions.

The apparatus of the present invention may be accessed at any time bythe respective cardholder, account owner and/or cellular telephone ownerand/or cellular communications device owner so as to obtain informationregarding activity on his or her respective account. The respectivecardholder, account owner and/or cellular telephone owner and/orcellular communications device owner may access the apparatus and, inparticular, the central processing computer, and/or the server computer,if utilized, so as to obtain transaction records regarding anytransaction, group or string of transactions, transactions by goodsand/or service type, transactions by dollar amount, etc.

The respective cardholder, account owner, and/or cellular telephoneowner and/or cellular communications device owner may also obtain, viathe central processing computer, and/or the server computer, ifutilized, periodic transaction records showing all transactions for agiven week, which may by provided weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, yearly,and/or for any given and/or desired time period and/or interval. Theapparatus and, in particular, the central processing computer, and/orthe server computer, if utilized, may be designed and/or programmed soas to automatically and/or periodically provide and/or transmit any ofthe above-described account and/or transaction information to therespective cardholder, account owner and/or cellular telephone ownerand/or cellular communications device owner, by transmitting same to therespective communications device, which may be any of the devicesdescribed herein which are utilized as the communications device.

The apparatus and, in particular, the central processing computer,and/or the server computer, if utilized, may also be designed and orprogrammed to transmit any of the above-described account informationand/or transaction information to any one or all of the respectivecardholder's, account owner's, and/or cellular telephone owner's and/orcellular communications device owner's facsimile (fax) machine, personalcomputer, telephone, telephone answering machine, alternate telephone,alternate telephone answering machine, network computer, and/oralternate beeper or pager. Such multiple notification transmissions, ifutilized, may be performed sequentially and/or simultaneously.

The central processing computer may be linked with a fax machine,personal computer, telephone, associated answering machine, alternatetelephone and associated answering machine, network computer, and/oralternate beeper or pager via any suitable communication system. Thetelecommunications link or telephone line or link, which may or may notbe a wireless link, depending on the device and/or the circumstances, isutilized in order to link the central processing computer with each ofthe fax machine, the personal computer, the telephone, the associatedanswering machine, the alternate telephone, the alternate telephoneanswering machine, the network computer, and/or the alternate beeper orpager.

In any of the herein-described and/or envisioned embodiments, therespective central processing computer which is utilized may comprise aplurality of computers and/or computer systems. Further, the respectivecentral processing computer may be the processing computer forprocessing account information, and/or for servicing, and/or monitoring,the respective account(s) activity, and/or the central processingcomputer may be a separate and/or distinct computer or computer systemwhich is associated with and/or linked with the processing computer.

In any of the herein-described and/or envisioned embodiments, therespective communication device which may be utilized may operateindependently of, and/or in conjunction with, a central service and/or acommunications service. For example, a beeper or pager may be utilizedin conjunction with a corresponding beeper or pager communicationsservice, which communications service may serve to relay signals, dataand/or information, to, and from, the beeper or pager, whichever thecase may be. The communication device which may be utilized may also becapable of transmitting signals, data and/or information, directly to,and receiving signals, data and/or information, directly from, acomponent(s) of the apparatus, without the need for a central serviceand/or a communications service and/or a relay system.

It is also envisioned that the apparatus and method of the presentinvention may provide for transmitting signals, data and/or informationto the cardholder, account owner and/or cellular telephone owner viatransmissions made to, and received at a television, radio, car radio,computer and/or other communication device which receives signalstransmitted via any suitable communication system. In this manner, forexample, a cardholder, account owner and/or cellular telephone owner maybe notified by having signals, data and/or information transmitted totheir television, radio, car radio, computer, etc., in such a manner soas to interrupt the normal operation of same, so as to convey theinformation and/or message to the cardholder, account owner and/orcellular telephone owner, in real-time and/or upon the occurrence of theevent triggering or giving rise to same.

In any and/or all of the above described embodiments, the apparatus maybe programmed and/or be programmable by the respective cardholder,account owner and/or cellular telephone owner or cellular device owner,for his or her account. In conjunction with the use of credit cards,charge cards, debit cards, the cardholder may program the centralprocessing computer, and/or the server computer, if utilized, so as tochange the credit limits on his or her account, periodically and/or atany desired time. For example, a cardholder having a credit card with a$10,000.00 dollar credit limit, but who very seldom utilizes his or hercard for much more than $500.00 dollars during a monthly billing period,may program the apparatus and, in particular, the central processingcomputer, or server computer, if utilized, so as to temporarily reducehis or her credit limit.

If the cardholder should then desire to make a major purchase with hisor her credit card of, for example, a purchase in the amount of$8500.00, the cardholder may, prior to the transaction, reprogram thecentral processing computer and/or server computer, if utilized, so asto temporarily increase his or her temporary credit limit. The apparatusmay then be programmed so that, after the major purchase has been made,the apparatus may revert operation back to the reduced credit limit.

The cardholder may program the central processing computer, and/or theserver computer, if utilized, via the communication device, which may beany one or more of the devices described herein. The cardholder may alsoperform the above-described programming via a touch-tone telephone. Inthe same manner, the cardholder may program the apparatus so as to limitthe types of transactions involving, and/or the goods and/or serviceswhich may be purchased with, his or her card, and/or the stores and/orservice providers which may be authorized to accept the card, limits onthe dollar amounts of transactions pertaining to each authorized vendor,seller and/or service provider, daily spending limits, the vendors,sellers, and/or service providers with which the card may be utilized,the geographical area or location within which the card may be utilized,and/or authorized times for card usage (i.e. specific days, dates, timesof day, times of month, year, etc.), and/or any other limitations and/orrestrictions regarding amount of transaction, parties involved,geographical area, and or times of allowed usage. In a similar manner,the cardholder may similarly program the apparatus as described above inconjunction with use of any of the herein-described cards.

In a similar manner, a cardholder of a currency and/or "smart" card mayprogram the apparatus so as to limit the types of transactionsinvolving, and/or the goods and/or services which may be purchased with,his or her card, and/or the stores or service providers which may beauthorized to accept the card, limits on the dollar amounts oftransactions pertaining to each authorized vendor, seller and/or serviceprovider, daily spending limits, the vendors, sellers, and/or serviceproviders with which the card may be utilized, the geographical area orlocation within which the card may be utilized, and/or authorized timesfor card usage (i.e. specific days, dates, times of day, times of month,year, etc.), and/or any other limitations and/or restrictions regardingamount of transaction, parties involved, geographical area, and or timesof allowed usage.

In the case of savings accounts, checking accounts, and/or automatedteller machine accounts, the account owner may program the apparatusand, in particular, the central processing computer, and/or the servercomputer, if utilized, so as to limit the amount of any one transactionor transactions, individuals who may make the transactions, proof ofidentity of which the types of proof may be specified, specific banksand/or financial institutions authorized to accept and/or performtransactions for the account, geographical areas and/or location withinwhich banks and/or financial institutions may be authorized to acceptand/or perform transactions with the account, specific times of day,specific days, dates and/or time of the month in, or on, whichtransactions may be authorized, limits of charge-backs, returned itemamount withdrawals, maintenance and/or other fee charge withdrawals,etc. and/or authorized times for account usage (i.e. specific days,dates, times of day, times of month, year, etc.), and/or any otherlimitations and/or restrictions regarding amount of transaction, partiesinvolved, geographical area, and or times of allowed usage.

With regards to automated teller machine accounts, it is also possibleto specify and programmably change personal identification numbersand/or any other access code(s) and provide for various personalidentification numbers and/or access codes for different locations,different automated teller machines, different days, different timesand/or different transaction amounts.

In the cases of cellular telephones and/or cellular communicationsdevices, the cellular telephone owner and/or cellular communicationdevice owner may program the apparatus and, in particular, the centralprocessing computer, and/or the server computer, if utilized, so as tolimit the phone numbers which may be called, and/or the numbers fromwhich incoming calls may be accepted and/or received, the geographicalareas and/or locations which may be called and/or accessed or from whichcalls may be received, the times of day, specific days, dates, times ofmonth or year, during which the cellular telephone and/or cellularcommunication device may be utilized, specific phone numbers which maybe called, specific time durations for a phone call and/or anyauthorized times for cellular telephone and/or cellular communicationdevice usage (i.e. specific days, dates, times of day, times of month,year, etc.), and/or any other limitations and/or restrictions, regardingamount of transaction, parties involved, geographical area, and or timesof allowed usage.

The present invention may also be utilized so as to provide financialtransaction and/or wireless communication device authorization,notification and/or security for any number and/or types of accounts,including credit card accounts, charge card accounts, debit cardaccounts, currency or "smart" card accounts, and/or other transactioncard accounts, savings accounts, checking accounts, automated tellermachine accounts, cellular telephone accounts and/or cellularcommunication device accounts. In this manner, the apparatus maycomprise a communication device or communications devices which mayreceive and/or transmit signals, data and/or information, for any numberand/or types of the above accounts, and/or for each of the respectiveaccounts utilized, from and to the respective central processingcomputer and/or central processing computers for the respectiveaccounts. In this manner, an individual may utilize a singlecommunication device so as to monitor all of his or her accounts and/ortypes of accounts.

The apparatus and method of the present invention provides for thereal-time notification of financial transactions involving credit cards,charge cards, debit cards, and/or currency or "smart" cards, whichenables a cardholder to monitor, in real-time, activity involving his orher card(s) and the corresponding accounts. The apparatus and method ofthe present invention also provides a means and a mechanism by which toinform a cardholder that his or her card(s) are lost, stolen, or isbeing utilized in an unauthorized manner and provides an indication tothe cardholder of when and where his or her card(s) is being utilized intransactions. The cardholder may then report the card lost or stolenand/or cancel and/or de-activate the card. The apparatus and method ofthe present invention provides the same, and/or analogous, featuresand/or functions for banking and/or financial accounts and/or forcellular telephone accounts.

While the communications device(s) described above are described, ineach of the respective embodiments, as being utilized for specific uses(i.e. credit and other cards transactions, banking and/or financialtransactions, and/or cellular telephone transactions, the communicationdevice(s) may also be adapted and/or programmed for use in all of theseaforementioned transactions so that an individual may utilize a singlecommunication device for all of the above described and/or envisionedtransaction types.

It is envisioned that the apparatus and method of the present inventionmay be utilized in conjunction with other apparatuses and methods in theprior art, and that the present invention may be incorporated with theseknown apparatuses and methods so as to improve upon them and so as tofind additional applications for the present invention.

Applicant hereby incorporates by reference herein the following UnitedStates Patents: U.S. Pat. No. 5,173,594 which teaches a system forprinting personalized charge-card service receipts at remote locations;U.S. Pat. No. 5,479,510 which teaches an automated data card paymentverification method; U.S. Pat. No. 5,473,667 which teaches a pagingsystem with third party authorization; U.S. Pat. No. 3,723,655 whichteaches a credit authorization terminal; U.S. Pat. No. 5,485,510 whichteaches a secure credit/debit card authorization; U.S. Pat. No.5,406,619 which teaches a universal authentication device for use overtelephone lines; U.S. Pat. No. 5,444,616 which teaches financialtransaction systems and methods utilizing a multi-reader transactionterminal; U.S. Pat. No. 5,513,250 which teaches telephone based creditcard protection; U.S. Pat. No. 4,485,300 which teaches a loss controlsystem; U.S. Pat. No. 4,758,714 which teaches a point-of-sale mechanism;U.S. Pat. No. 4,947,027 which teaches a system for identifyingauthorized use of credit cards; U.S. Pat. No. 5,357,563 which teaches adata card terminal for receiving authorizations from remote locations;U.S. Pat. No. 5,444,763 which teaches a translation and connectiondevice for radio frequency point of sale transaction system; U.S. Pat.No. 5,243,645 which teaches an automatic system for forwarding of calls;and U.S. Pat. No. 3,938,090 which teaches a terminal apparatus.

While the present invention has been described and illustrated invarious preferred and alternate embodiments, such descriptions aremerely illustrative of the present invention and are not to be construedto be limitations thereof. In this regard, the present inventionencompasses any and all modifications, variations and/or alternateembodiments with the scope of the present invention being limited onlyby the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. A transaction security apparatus, whichcomprises:a transaction device, wherein said transaction device one ofgenerates and transmits a first signal in response to a transaction; anda communication device associated with an individual account, whereinsaid communication device receives said first signal, and furtherwherein said communication device generates a second signal whichprovides a notification to the individual account holder of thetransaction, wherein said transaction device transmits said first signalto said communication device, and further wherein said first signal istransmitted over a communication network directly to said communicationdevice.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said communication devicetransmits a third signal to said transaction device in response to saidfirst signal, wherein said third signal contains information for one ofapproving and disapproving the transaction.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein said transaction device is at least one of a point-of-saleauthorization device, a credit card authorization device, a charge cardauthorization device, a debit card authorization device, a currency cardauthorization device, a "smart" card authorization device, a bankingtransaction device, a savings account transaction device, a checkingaccount transaction device, a financial transaction device, an automatedteller device, and an automated teller machine.
 4. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein said communication device is at least one of atelephone signal receiving device, a beeper, a pager, a telephone, atwo-way pager, a reply pager, a home computer, a personal computer, apersonal communication device, a personal communication services device,a digital communications device, a television, an interactivetelevision, a digital television, a personal digital assistant, adisplay telephone, a video telephone, a watch, a cellular telephone, awireless telephone, a mobile telephone, a display cellular telephone,and a facsimile machine.
 5. A transaction security apparatus, whichcomprises:a transaction device, wherein said transaction device one ofgenerates and transmits a first signal in response to a transaction; anda communication device associated with an individual account, whereinsaid communication device receives said first signal, and furtherwherein said communication device generates a second signal whichprovides a notification to the individual account holder of thetransaction, wherein said transaction device transmits said first signalto said communication device, and further wherein said communicationdevice is one of programmed for automatically one of generating andtransmitting a third signal in response to said first signal, programmedto respond to said first signal with one of a preprogrammed and pre-setresponse, and programmed for one of approving and disapproving thetransaction according to one of type of transaction, type of one of goodand service, one of a store, service provider, bank, and financialinstitution authorized to perform a transaction on the account,transaction amount limit, account daily spending limit, authorizedgeographic location for account transaction, authorized transactiontime, and one of temporary and permanent one of restrictions andlimitations on account usage.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein saidcommunication device further comprises:means for storing individuallyprogrammable one of account usage limitations and account usagerestrictions for one of type of transaction, type of one of good andservice, one of a store, service provider, bank, and financialinstitution authorized to perform a transaction on the account,transaction amount limit, account daily spending limit, authorizedgeographic location for account transaction, and authorized transactiontime period.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatusprovides notification of the transaction to multiple communicationdevices.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus is utilizedone of on and over one of a public switched telephone network, atelecommunication network, a satellite communication network, a radiocommunication network, a digital communication network, a personalcommunications services network, and one of the Internet and the WorldWide Web.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said communication deviceone of provides service for a plurality of accounts and stores data fora plurality of transactions.
 10. A transaction security apparatus, whichcomprises:a transaction device, wherein said transaction device one ofgenerates and transmits a first signal in response to a transaction onan account; a central processing device for receiving said first signaland for one of generating and transmitting a second signal in responseto said first signal; and a communication device associated with anindividual account, wherein said communication device receives saidsecond signal from said central processing device, and further whereinsaid communication device transmits a third signal to said transactiondevice in response to said second signal, wherein said third signalcontains information for one of approving and disapproving thetransaction, and further wherein said third signal is transmitted over acommunication network directly to said transaction device.
 11. Theapparatus of claim 10, wherein said transaction device is at least oneof a point-of-sale authorization device, a credit card authorizationdevice, a charge card authorization device, a debit card authorizationdevice, a currency card authorization device, a "smart" cardauthorization device, a banking transaction device, a savings accounttransaction device, a checking account transaction device, a financialtransaction device, an automated teller device, and an automated tellermachine.
 12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the communication deviceis at least one of a telephone signal receiving device, a beeper, apager, a telephone, a two-way pager, a reply pager, a home computer, apersonal computer, a personal communication device, a personalcommunication services device, a digital communications device, atelevision, an interactive television, a digital television, a personaldigital assistant, a display telephone, a video telephone, a watch, acellular telephone, a wireless telephone, a mobile telephone, a displaycellular telephone, and a facsimile machine.
 13. The apparatus of claim10, wherein said communication device one of provides service for aplurality of accounts and stores data for a plurality of transactions.14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said apparatus providesnotification of the transaction to multiple communication devices. 15.The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said apparatus is utilized one of onand over one of a public switched telephone network, a telecommunicationnetwork, a satellite communication network, a radio communicationnetwork, a digital communication network, a personal communicationsservices network, and one of the Internet and the World Wide Web. 16.The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said central processing computerfurther comprises:a receiver for receiving at least one of said firstsignal and said third signal; means for counting the number ofunauthorized transactions occurring on an individual account; and meansfor one of canceling a transaction and de-activating the individualaccount.
 17. A transaction security apparatus, which comprises:atransaction device, wherein said transaction device one of generates andtransmits a first signal in response to a transaction on an account; acentral processing device for receiving said first signal and for one ofgenerating and transmitting a second signal in response to said firstsignal; and a communication device associated with an individualaccount, wherein said communication device receives said second signalfrom said central processing device, and further wherein saidcommunication device transmits a third signal to said transaction devicein response to said second signal, wherein said third signal containsinformation for one of approving and disapproving the transaction, andfurther wherein said communication device is one of programmed forautomatically one of generating and transmitting said third signal inresponse to said second signal, programmed to respond to the secondsignal with one of a preprogrammed and pre-set response, and programmedfor one of approving and disapproving the transaction according to oneof type of transaction, type of one of good and service, one of a storeand service provider authorized to perform a transaction on the account,transaction amount limit, account daily spending limit, authorizedgeographic location for account transaction, authorized transactiontime, and one of temporary and permanent one of restrictions andlimitations on account usage.
 18. A method for providing transactionsecurity, comprising:generating a first signal at a transaction devicein response to a transaction on an individual account; transmitting saidfirst signal to a communication device associated with an individualaccount holder, wherein said first signal is transmitted over acommunication network directly to the communication device; andgenerating a second signal at the communication device in response tosaid first signal, wherein said second signal provides notification tothe individual account holder of the transaction.
 19. The method ofclaim 18, further comprising the step of:generating a third signal atthe communication device, wherein said third signal contains informationfor one of approving and disapproving the transaction; and transmittingsaid third signal to the transaction device.
 20. The method of claim 18,wherein said individual account is one of a credit card account, acharge card account, a debit card account, a currency card account, a"smart" card account, a bank account, a savings account, a checkingaccount, and automated teller machine account, and a financial account.21. The method of claim 18, wherein said communication device is atleast one of a telephone signal receiving device, a beeper, a pager, atelephone, a two-way pager, a reply pager, a home computer, a personalcomputer, a personal communication device, a personal communicationservices device, a digital communications device, a television, aninteractive television, a digital television, a personal digitalassistant, a display telephone, a video telephone, a watch, a cellulartelephone, a wireless telephone, a mobile telephone, a display cellulartelephone, and a facsimile machine.